While Mesa is not hosting an in-person parade and festival due to the pandemic, the City will honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a virtual parade. The virtual parade will be made available for viewing on our website and social media outlets on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 18.
The City is partnering with the East Valley/ Mesa MLK Celebration Committee to create the Mesa Digital Photo Parade. This year's parade includes highlights from previous years and submitted photos or videos by past entries, with many answering the question "How am I/we living the dream?"
Additionally, the cities of Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix and Scottsdale and the East Valley/Mesa MLK Celebration Committee will be joining with AZPBS (Channel 8) for a three-part mini documentary based on the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. The documentary will include interviews from members of the regional community and combined with other features celebrating Dr. King during a special program that will be broadcast on Channel 8 during the Horizon timeslot at 5 p.m. on MLK Day.
We will continue the recognition in Mesa during the month of February through a social media campaign highlighting Black History Month and ways for the community to be engaged.
Mesa's annual MLK celebrations were created after residents, in 1996, voted to establish a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King. For more information on the MLK celebrations, visit www.mesaaz.gov/mlkparade.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov