Celebrations honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are scheduled across Escambia County on Monday. The Pensacola parade has a revised route due to ongoing construction. Here’s a detailed look at the events planned for this significant day.
Cantonment MLK Parade
The 19th Annual MLK Parade in Cantonment will commence on Monday. The parade line-up starts at 3 p.m., with the procession kicking off at 4 p.m. from Carver Park, located at 208 Webb Street. Participation is free, and the community is encouraged to join in.
Century MLK Celebration and Parade
In Century, an MLK Celebration program will be held at 10 a.m. at the Ag Building, situated at the intersection of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard. The program will feature:
- Speeches from notable guests, including Mayor Ben Boutwell.
- Live music performed by local church choirs and children’s groups.
- A complimentary meal provided by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association.
Following the meal, a motorcade will transport participants from the Ag Building to the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Atmore MLK Parade
The Atmore MLK Parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. from Houston Avery Park. This parade will conclude at the Emmanuel Faith Center, located at 710 E. Ridgeley Street. Attendees can look forward to:
- Food and refreshments.
- Door prizes.
- A guest speaker.
- Live entertainment.
Pensacola MLK Parade
The Pensacola MLK Parade for 2026 is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026. It will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Spring and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola. This year’s theme is “With Unity, We Won’t Turn Back,” and Grand Marshal Lumon May will lead the parade.
Due to the Reimagine Palafox construction project, the parade will take a new route. The procession will head east one block to Jefferson Street, bypassing Palafox Street south of Garden Street. Important details include:
- Closure of the parade route and float staging areas about three hours before the parade starts.
- Prohibition of parking along the parade route and in designated no-parking zones.
- Enforcement of towing for vehicles found in restricted areas.
Street closures will also extend to Tarragona Street, DeVilliers Street, and Main Street. These closures align with those enacted during the previous year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and the Pensacola Christmas Parade. Expect significant parade and float traffic between Wright Street and Main Street, as well as impacts on Garden Street, Palafox Street, and Spring Street.
