TEXAS — Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations are approaching, and there are several marches going on around Texas to honor the legendary civil rights activist and political philosopher. Given that freezing temperatures are forecasted for much of Texas on Monday, many events have already been rescheduled. Check to see updated plans for each site.
Austin
Austin Area Heritage Council’s MLK Jr. Day Annual Community March
The Austin Area Heritage Council is still holding its Annual Community March for MLK Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15 at 9 a.m., but some changes to the schedule have been made to account for extreme weather. Instead of starting at the MLK Jr. statue on UT campus and ending at Huston-Tillotson University, the march will now end at the Capitol.
All businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to participate in the march.
The MLK festival and food drive that was originally scheduled for 11:15 a.m. at Huston-Tillotson University has been rescheduled to Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Free parking is available at the following lots:
State’s Visitors Garage (12th & San Jacinto St.)
Kealing Middle School (1607 Pennsylvania Ave.)
Holy Cross Catholic Church (1610 E. 11th)
Blackshear Elementary (1712 E. 11th)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (1206 E. 9th)
Mt. Olive Baptist Church (1800 E. 11th)
Check here for updates on this event as they become available.
San Antonio
City of San Antonio MLK March
San Antonio’s 37th annual MLK March will continue as scheduled on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. The lineup for the march begins as early as 9 a.m. The march will start at the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and will end with a celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park that will include a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and local vendors and multicultural performances. The City of San Antonio advises that attendees be prepared for winter weather.
"Although the weather forecast predicts one of the coldest days in our city, we are determined to press on, just as King and other heroes and sheroes did. We urge everyone to take care, be smart, and stay warm," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Chair Dwayne Robison said in a statement.
If participating in the march, be sure to dress in layers with warm hats and gloves and eat a nutritious meal beforehand.
Check here for updates on this event.
Free VIA Bus routes will be available to and from the march. Routes to the march are available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at these locations:
Freeman Coliseum
1801 Martin Luther King Dr. (Lot 22)
Routes from the march are from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Pittman-Sullivan Park.
Dallas
H.E.L.P. 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
The City of Dallas has partnered with Hope Encourage Love Protect (H.E.L.P.), a nonprofit focusing on improving the quality of life of those in need, to throw a MLK Day parade originally set for Jan. 15, but has been rescheduled to Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. The parade starts at Fair Park intersection of Robert B Cullum Blvd and MLK, Jr. Blvd, proceeding one mile down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd westbound left on Atlanta; left on Pennsylvania Ave east bound ending at Fair Park.
Parade participants include community organizations, church groups, youth groups, nonprofit organizations, band/drill teams, colorful floats and much more.
There will be early entertainment from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in front of the King Center for those who arrive before the parade begins.