Several thousand honor MLK Jr. at 40th annual parade

(TULSA, Okla.) Thousands of people took to the streets in downtown Tulsa Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Parade.

Parade organizers said the parade is for people of all ages to have fun while remembering Dr. King’s legacy, and a way for them to be a part of keeping his dream alive.

The parade kicked off at 11 a.m., starting at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and John Hope Franklin Blvd. and ending at the corner of Archer Street and Elgin Ave.

More than 100 themed floats, musicians and marchers took part in this year’s celebration.  

The celebration then continued at the Guthrie Green, with winners of the student contests, the parade and the community performing on stage until 1:30 p.m.

Tulsa Police officers kept participants and parade goers safe while the roads were closed until 2 p.m.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society, Inc. is the event’s lead organization.  

According to their website, the 501c3 nonprofit has awarded $75,000 in scholarships over the past three decades to local high school graduates aspiring to achieve Dr. King’s dream.