Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Annual Durham MLK/Black History Month Parade: 'I Still Have a Dream'

The 10th Annual Durham Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Parade kicks off on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm. This year’s theme is I ‘Still’ Have a Dream. The Grand Marshal of the Parade is Dr. Chuck Davis, founder and artistic director of the African American Dance Ensemble.

A Triangle native, Davis attended Howard University and majored in Theater/Dance. Continuing his study in African dance under the guidance of Babatunde Olatunji, Eleo Pomare, and the Bernice Johnson Dance Company, his reputation grew as one of the foremost teachers and accomplished choreographers in the traditional techniques of African dance. In 1982, the American Dance Festival of Durham, NC, recruited Davis as an Artist-in-Residence, to organize and manage its outreach program. From this effort sprung the African American Dance Ensemble in 1984.

The Parade, a multi-cultural, wholesome family-oriented event to be held in Black History Month, will pay homage to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other great African Americans. The Parade also affords us an opportunity to reflect upon the past while seeking hope, determination and opportunity to act upon the promise of the future, OUR YOUTH.

Marching bands, floats, school and church groups, step and dance teams, horses, cars, motorcycles, unique vehicles, clowns and more will make Fayetteville Street a festive place to be. The Parade will line up at W. G. Pearson Elementary School (3501 Fayetteville Street), proceed up Fayetteville Street and end at Lawson and Fayetteville Streets (at NCCU).

Trophies will be presented for: Best in Parade, Best Theme Application, Best Marching Band. Ribbons will be awarded for: Schools with Most Participants, Non-school group with Most Participants, Best Drum Line, Best Drum Major, Best Mounted Group (Horses), Best Individual Vehicle, Best Commercial Vehicle, and Best Vehicle Club (includes motorcycles).

Judging will take place at the reviewing stand set up at NCCU Alumni House (2223 Fayetteville Street). The Parade will be videotaped and televised on a cable network.

The Durham MLK/Black History Month Parade has been named One of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, an organization comprised of tourism industry professionals in 13 southeastern states.

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