Parade, Live Concert, & Children’s Activities

Join us at the fifth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration to commemorate the life and legacy of this civil rights legend. Hosted by the City of Winter Garden, the free celebration includes a parade through historic downtown, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more!

Event Flyer

PARADE 

Kickoff at 11:00 am
Historic Downtown

This signature City of Winter Garden event kicks off at 11:00 am with a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Parade in historic downtown. The parade travels along West Plant Street (from Woodland Street to Central Avenue). 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and head to your favorite viewing spot to enjoy the procession of community floats and participants.

PARADE ENTRY FORM:

Due to limited space, preregistration is required for all parade entries. There is no fee to participate.

Complete and submit 2024 Winter Garden Martin Luther Jr. Parade Registration. DEADLINE: NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024. (Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.)

All applicants will receive an email notification whether approved or not approved. 

Instructions concerning check-in time, items not permitted, etc. can be found on the application.

All entries are eligible to win the Parade Spirit Award.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES

11:30 am – 4:00 pm

Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue

Immediately following the parade, the festivities continue with a live music concert, children’s activities, and more from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm, at the Downtown Pavilion. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase from onsite vendors, as well as at downtown businesses.

The lineup of top-notch music performances will delight all ages.

• Musical Entertainment featuring
  • Phoenix 5
  • Selwyn Birchwood 
• Children’s Activities/Kids’ Zone (Gaming Truck, Rock Climbing Wall, Face Painting, Crafts Station, and more!)
• Food & Refreshments available for purchase from onsite vendors, as well as downtown eateries.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the concert. No coolers and no alcoholic beverages are permitted.

PARKING INFORMATION 

Public parking is always free downtown, including at:

• Three-level Parking Garage, 160 S. Boyd Street
• 117-space parking lot, 37 N. Boyd Street
• Sam Williams Little League Complex, 415 S. Park Avenue
• Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Avenue

Please Note: Parking along West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets, will not be available for parking for this event due to the road closures.

OFF-SITE PARKING with Shuttle Service:
Corner of 9^th Street and East Plant Street (across from Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant Street)

SHUTTLE SERVICE (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)- Free!
Courtesy of the City of Winter Garden, a COMPLIMENTARY continuous Shuttle will operate 10:00 am – 5:00 pm from the Corner of 9^th Street and East Plant Street (across from Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant Street) to the event.

SHUTTLE STOP: S. Lakeview Avenue at Parking Garage

There will be one Shuttle Stop at the downtown event (located at S. Lakeview Avenue at the Parking Garage) for both drop off from 9^Th street parking lot and pickup from downtown. The Shuttle will operate continuously 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

ROAD CLOSURES

Please note that select roads in the historic downtown area will be CLOSED for this event:

Plant Street from Dillard Street to Central Ave will be closed on Monday, January 15, from 2:00 am to approximately 1:00 pm, as well as the adjoining side streets. 

Highland Avenue to Lakeview Avenue along Tremaine Street, and part of S. Lakeview Ave between Plant and Tremaine Street will be blocked from 2:00 am to approximately 6:00 pm on Monday, January 15. 

For more information, please contact Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Department: (407) 656-4155, recinfo@cwgdn.com, 310 N. Dillard Street.