The MLK Day Parade

Each year, two long-warring factions compete to produce Houston’s “real” MLK celebration (such a great way to honor a man of peace, don’t you think?). The Black Heritage Society won dibs this year by virtue of a December coin toss in the foyer of City Hall, so they’ll have the “official” parade downtown (10 a.m. today; for information, call 713-236-1700 or visit www.originalmlkparade.com), but you can see the other contender, the 14th Annual MLK Grande Parade, this afternoon. Organizers claim the MLK Grande Parade is the “largest celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the U.S.” The Grande Parade has more than 20 floats, 40–plus marching bands and a gaggle of local politicians, including grand marshals Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green. Altogether 36,000 participants will march in front of 500,000 spectators and millions more via a nationwide broadcast. Join in with the rest of Houston and (all together now…) “keep the dream alive.” Noon. Allen Parkway, near Buffalo Bayou Park. For information, call 713-953-1633 or visit www.mlkgrandeparade.org. Free.
Mon., Jan. 21, noon, 2008