Communities across North Texas are coming together this weekend and Monday to honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with parades, performances and service-focused celebrations aimed at reflecting King’s message of unity and action.
In DeSoto, students will take center stage Friday night with a performing arts showcase honoring King. The event features singing, drumming and poetry, highlighting youth voices and creativity. The program begins at 7 p.m. Friday at DeSoto High School and is free to attend with a canned food donation.
Arlington’s annual “Advancing the Dream” celebration spans multiple events, including a gala, a step showcase, a jazz event and a festival hosted by the Dallas Wings. The day of service portion runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at City Center Plaza, focusing on community involvement and volunteerism.
Dallas will cap its MLK celebration week with the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. Monday along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, running from SM Wright Parkway to Fair Park, and is expected to draw large crowds.
In Fort Worth, the Greater Fort Worth Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee is hosting a parade and rally Monday. The parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the Fort Worth Convention Center, with the route continuing to Sundance Square. Events run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and participants are encouraged to register in advance. Walker registration starts at $30.
Plano will also host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade organized by the Collin County branch of the NAACP. Plano Police Chief Ed Drain will serve as the grand marshal. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the Douglass Community Mural and follows a 1.2-mile route through the neighborhood and along Haggard Park.
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