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The 35^th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in LaGrange is set for Jan. 13, 2024, with the theme, “Living the Dream – It’s starts with me.”

The parade is organized and sponsored locally by the Theta Xi Zeta chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Local realtor Maria Harris, owner of Blessed Realty in LaGrange, has been named grand marshal for the 2024 MLK Parade.

Zeta Phi Beta member Nicole Joseph, who helps organize the event each year, said Harris was selected as grand marshal for all that she does for the community in LaGrange.

“She’s always doing something for the community,” Joseph said. “She’s always willing to help. There’s never a why or how come. It’s always whatever you need, if I can do it, I got it.”

Harris is frequently helping others in the LaGrange community, including through her annual community appreciation drive-thru, which provides free meals, or through the annual Lupus walk that helps organize through the nonprofit 50 Shades of Pain.

Harris said being named grand marshal for the MLK parade was an unexpected surprise, but it is an honor.

Joseph said there are a couple of changes for this year’s parade including a different way to sign up. She said this year the registration is all digital on Eventbrite.

In the past, the organizers would send out letters inviting participation and inevitably they would get last-minute entrants, which caused a big headache.

“There are cut-off times that we’re going to stick to because, in the past, we’d have people signing up late. It’s been hectic, so now we’re trying to definitely stick to that deadline.  Eventbrite will be the only way you will be able to participate in the parade,” Joseph said.  “I know it’s been that way for 25 years where people could just walk up the day, but it’s got to change.”

Joseph said the deadline to sign up to participate in the parade is Jan. 5, 2024. A signup form to participate in the parade can be found online at https://bit.ly/43DuQ5e
Parade participation tickets range from $25 to $50. General admission walking tickets are $25, car/truck tickets are $35, ATVs are $40 and float passes are $50. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund scholarships.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. The parade route will begin and end at 100 Hunnicutt Place. The route will follow the same route as the annual Christmas Parade going through North Greenwood Street, West Haralson Street, Church Street, Broome Street, then Ridley Avenue back to North Greenwood.
Joseph said another addition to this year’s parade is a non-profit mini-fair on Lafayette Square immediately following the parade.

“We’re calling it A Day of Service,” Joseph said. “It will be from 2 to 6 p.m. and it’s only for nonprofit vendors. Their deadline to sign up is Dec. 20.”

“We’re just encouraging anyone and everybody to just come out and participate, especially for the new nonprofit service event on the square,” Joseph said.

 

The event is free of charge for parade viewers.

 

For more information, questions can be sent to lagrangezetas@gmail.com.