Tulsa's 42nd Annual MLK Parade Continues, Takes COVID-19 Precautions

Celebrations happened all over Green Country as people honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Organizers of Tulsa’s annual MLK parade said even though people were encouraged to watch from home rather than in person, the parade was still a big success.

The crowds might have been smaller this year because of COVID-19, but the parade still touches people of all ages. 

“I feel good; I feel really good. I’m bless to be able to be out here with my daughter," said Ariel Faulk.

Faulk said even though her daughter is still young, she wants her daughter to understand the importance of today. 

“She needs to experience it in person. With the world and everything that’s going on I do think it’s that we stay safe obviously, but he needs to experience it and see in person. It’s different than it being on tv. It’s not the same,” said Faulk.

Tulsa's 42nd annual MLK parade went virtual this year and smaller too, with around 75 entries instead of the usual 140. 

“It was a little different because we couldn’t have marchers or bands, but with God it all turned out well. We got the floats, the vehicles, the motorcycles, and everybody seems to be happy about being here," said Elise Crawl.

This is the fourth year Elise Crawl helped organize the MLK parade. She said she has memories of Dr. King from her childhood. 

“I’m old enough to remember Dr. King on television and hearing the speech I have a dream. I think we as Afro-Americans that we need to remember our past because the past is really important because it actually predicts our future,” said Crawl.

She said the parade is just as meaningful to the people watching it as it is to the people organizing it.

If you want to watch Monday's parade you can do so on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society's Facebook Page.