Tulsa Martin Luther King Jr.Parade Inspires Spectators, Participants

Some people say Monday's parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the best they've seen. The parade went through the historic Greenwood district, and thousands of people came out - in better weather than usual - to watch.

A lot of people at the parade were talking about the weather because it's almost always cold and windy, but this year the weather was perfect and the crowd was much larger than usual.

Spectators filled the sidewalks around OSU-Tulsa where the parade started. Bands from several Tulsa high schools led the way - keeping a rhythm that reverberated down the parade route.

The parade wound through the campus - down through Greenwood and around ONEOK Field.

That's where Jennica Williams was watching.

"I really think since we're here, the whole thing is being together; blacks aren't better than whites, whites aren't better than blacks, we're equal and being together, yeah, that's what I think it's about," said Jennica Williams, parade spectator:

Tulsa's first responders were prominent - the police chief marched with some of his officers; the fire chief with a group of firefighters.

Tulsa's big employers had floats in the parade, and there were a few celebrities.

1/19/2015 Related Story: Tulsa's Martin Luther King Parade Honors Civil Rights Leader

For many people on the sidelines - the size of the parade and the spirit of the crowd was inspirational.

"It feels good, everybody as one, it's a beautiful thing," said parade spectator Samuel Folks.

"It feels good to be out with the kids and enjoying this moment, due to the fact of the history it signifies. Our ancestors marched and did this, and this is a joy for me and my family."

Though he would have liked to see the parade go down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, City Councilor Jack Henderson thought it was one of the best parades he'd seen.

"I hope that everybody joins together and tries to make Tulsa one city instead of the tale of two cities," said

Jack Henderson, Tulsa City Councilor.

One spectator we spoke with today mentioned how symbolic the parade is of how Tulsa deals with race - generally with all sorts of groups coming together to join in a peaceful conversation.