The sound of booming drums, childrens’ laughter and street vendors hawking their goods lined Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. for Long Beach’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Saturday, just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Several local highschools, city departments, churches and businesses walked or drove along the parade route while flashy offroad vehicles, Jeeps blasting music and marching bands competed for attendees’ attention.
The parade which started at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave and Anaheim Street ended at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, across from LBCC’s Pacific Coast Campus, where a carnival celebration with music, games and food greeted people completing the parade route.
Long Beach City College had its own float in the parade, filled with students and employees all dressed with shirts printed with Dr. King’s portrait for the occasion.
Preston Smith, a member of LBCC’s special events and operations staff, drove the truck for this parade. Smith, having worked at various other parades with LBCC, was there to ensure everything went smoothly for everyone participating on behalf of the college.
“I’m proud to be celebrating MLK while I work. If it wasn’t for Martin Luther King I wouldn’t be able to work here right now,” Smith said.
“It (the parade) represents progress and celebrates it,” said Smith, “Some of the older folks I work with have told me stories about how you couldn’t even come to these streets if you were black.”
For another participant, new Extended Opportunity Programs and Services department specialist, Thomas Robles, attending the parade with LBCC was an opportunity to both familiarize himself with students and staff he would be working with in the upcoming semester.
“I wanted to support the students as best I could,” Robles said.
“It’s all about love,” said Robles. “Like (Martin Luther King Jr.) said, ‘hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that’”
After the parade concluded, attendees who headed to Martin Luther King Jr. Park were able to experience several live performances throughout the day, as different musical acts took the stage.
Apart from LBCC’s parade troupe, the college had students stay during the afterparty to provide information to potential students.
Shamonique Harris, an LBCC President’s ambassador, was one of those who provided information to carnival attendees interested in enrolling at LBCC.
“This was my first time being in a parade for (Martin Luther King Jr.). It was pretty cool to see all those people happy to see us. It means promoting equality and justice in the name of Martin Luther King,” Harris said.