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Get Away

To honor a legend

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 12, 2006

	[Times photo 2005: Willie J. Allen Jr.]
	Gibbs High School bass drummer Stephen Moody, 16, stands ready to march moments before joining the Dr. Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Parade in St. Petersburg.

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated this weekend with events both somber and festive, ranging from candlelight vigils to a three-hour parade.

Here are the highlights:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival

Plant City's annual celebration. Opening Ceremony, 5:30-6:30 p.m. today, free. Statewide Step Show, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., Marshall Middle School gym, next to recreation center, $5, and after-party with radio personalities from WLLD-98.7 FM, 9-11:30 p.m. Parade begins 1 p.m. Sat. at Alexander Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Concert by Tru Soul and others, 3-9 p.m. Sat., free. And Tribute to Dr. King with various gospel artists, 5-7 p.m. Sun. All at Martin Luther King Recreation Center and Sports Complex, 1601 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., unless noted otherwise. 813 757-6760 or www.plantcity.org

Black Heritage Street Festival Sat.-Sun.

Features music by national and local recording artists, including Midnight Star and the BarKays Sat. and Oleta Adams (Sun.) and others; also drum line exhibition, art and crafts by artisans from around the world, and food vendors. No outside coolers, food or beverages; strollers, lawn chairs and umbrellas okay. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and noon-6 p.m. Sun. Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa. Free. Toll-free 1-888-224-1733, ext. 143, or www.tampablackheritage.org

Dr. M.L. King Jr. Parade and Celebration

Tarpon Springs parade begins 2 p.m. at Tarpon Avenue and Ring Avenue, moves west on Tarpon to Pinellas Avenue, south on Pinellas to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, west on King, then south on Disston and west on Harrison Street, ending at Ed Dorsett Park (Harrison and Levis Avenue). Family festival in the park with music by DJ, games, food and drink, 1-5 p.m. (727) 937-7015 or (727) 798-5718.

With a pancake breakfast and short program of speakers and entertainment, 8 a.m. at Safety Harbor Community Center, 650 Ninth Ave. S, $4 for breakfast, program is free. March follows from the center at 10 a.m. to Main Street, then on to Daisy Douglas Park, 601 Ninth Ave. N. Festivities at park include games, entertainment and food, continuing until 2 p.m. Free. (727) 724-1572.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Celebration for families presented by Baha'i of Tampa features music, dance performances by Kuumba African Dancers and Drummers, photographic exhibit, archival film and audio presentations of speeches featuring King, poetry, dramatic readings, arts and crafts and more. 3 p.m. at International Bazaar at Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. (813) 241-8292. Free.

With the Florida A&M University Marching 100 Rattlers Band and many others. 6:15 p.m. Tropicana Field, 16th Street and First Avenue S, St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $12 at door. (727) 327-0085.

With candlelight vigil, poetry, speeches and music. 7 p.m., Largo Central Park, East Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard. (727) 587-6675.

Dr. Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Parade

With marching bands from around the United States. Begins 1:15 p.m. on Third Avenue S and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in downtown St. Petersburg, then moves north on King to Central Avenue, east to Bayshore Drive, and north to Fifth Avenue NE, disbanding at Vinoy Park. (727) 327-0085. Free.

Rally speakers are Dr. Michael Woods of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, and Mary Brown, Pinellas County School Board; also entertainment by jazz musician Eric Darius and the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church choir. March begins approximately 10 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., and moves to Coachman Park, Drew and Cleveland streets downtown, for rally, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (727) 461-7191. Free.

Presented by Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee and St. Petersburg Museum of History. 6:30 p.m. at museum, 335 Second Ave. NE. Bring flashlight or candle. (727) 893-7894.

Family Festival features music and other entertainment, children's activities and food, noon-4 p.m. at Pepin/Rood Stadium at the University of Tampa, Cass and N Boulevard, downtown Tampa. Parade begins at noon at Blake High School, 1701 N Boulevard, moves south on N Boulevard to Main Street, west to Willow Avenue, south to Cypress Street and east to N Boulevard, ending at Pepin/Rood. (813) 274-8615. Free.

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 10:48:18]