Muskogee Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. With Parade

It might have been Presidents Day, but folks in Muskogee were celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Their parade was canceled due to bad weather last month, so it was rescheduled for Monday. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 95 years old this year, a big milestone to celebrate his timeless message.

It's a holiday tradition weeks overdue. Hundreds of people in Muskogee were gathering to remember the life and legacy of MLK. 

"We do it big here in Muskogee on Martin Luther King Day," said MLK Community Center director Derrick Reed.

Reed says while Mother Nature put a stop to this parade a month ago, President's Day gave them another chance to come together as a city. 

"It's Presidents Day, so we're celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday as well as Black History Month, so we were able to do it all in one," he said.

Reed says this year’s 60 floats are a lower turnout than normal, but what the parade may have lacked in numbers, attendees made up for in excitement. 

"Covid stays in the back of my mind when we couldn't even see each other, so I'm happy to get together with the community to celebrate any time I can," said Braylon Dedmon.

He came with his band to provide post-parade entertainment. He says as people lead busy lives, it's important to celebrate King's message of love and unity.

"We got to keep his legacy alive. We have to keep his dream alive. Unity is what we need; all colors, races, genders, religions, unity, one, come together as one."

As floats and bands march down Martin Luther King Street, it's easy to see the legacy of a civil rights icon.