Athens MLK DAY Parade and Fest 2017 Recap

The first official Athens MLK Jr. Parade and Music Fest took place on the afternoon of January 16, 2017, in downtown Athens. The air was filled with positive energy as the community united for its inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday parade. A diverse crowd of thousands, including organizers, participants, and spectators, gathered along the streets to celebrate this historic occasion with joy and pride.

Below you will find photo's and links to various news articles that covered the 2017 historic occasion.

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Large crowd lines downtown streets for Athens’ first MLK Day parade

By Jim Thompson

“It’s a beautiful thing,” said Mokah Jasmine Johnson, leader of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, as she tended to some last-minute details before the parade stepped off from Hull Street and headed up Clayton Street to Jackson Street, where the route headed back into the center of downtown.Click HERE to read full article.Downtown Athens was filled with Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day festivities on Monday including the first annual MLK Jr. Day Parade and Urban Music Fest hosted by the United Group of Artists and Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement.

Athens hosts first annual MLK parade and music fest

Ashlyn Webb @ashlynwebb1The parade began at 3 p.m. at the intersection of South Hull and Washington Street and ended in front of The Max Canada where Barbara Lady B. Sims announced parade participants’ names and organizations. There were a variety of people attending Monday’s events, but all celebrating one individual and his legacy. Click here to read full article.Thank you to all our sponsors!