St. Pete MLK Events 2018: What You Need to Know

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebration in St. Petersburg features 10 events:

• SOUNDS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT: The Power of Song - Jan. 7 & 8, Sunday 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Monday 7 p.m. Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N. Production showcases local, national and international artists who tell the stories of the songs that drove the Civil Rights Movement. Free admission; tickets required and available at Box Office, 727-822-3590 www.mypalladium.org or www.thepowerofsong.org
• 37th Annual MLK HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST FINALS: - Thursday, Jan. 11. 7 p.m. Students make their final oratorical presentations at the Enoch Davis Center,1111 18th Ave. S. Free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the St.Petersburg Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Organization, Inc. and Theta Eta Lambda Education Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Contact: Lynette Buchanan, 727-893-7134.
• The "MLK Dream Big" Elementary BRAIN BOWL - Saturday, Jan. 13. 11 a.m. Dr. Carter G. Woodson Museum, 2240 9th Ave S. Academic collegiate team competition for fifth graders, presented by Advantage Village Academy Inc.; Spectator tickets, $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit the winning teams. More info at www.mlkdreambig.com.
• 1st Annual MLK DAY KICKOFF 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL CLASSIC: - Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 to 7 p.m. Jet Jackson Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S. Basketball tournament, local business vendors, food trucks, and half-time show performances. Sponsored by the MLK Day of Service Advisory Board. For more information, email 3on3mlk727@gmail.com
• MLK INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE: - Sunday, Jan. 14. 3 to 4:30 p.m. St. Jude's Cathedral, 5815 Fifth Ave. N. "Stand Up Together." Keynote speaker: Rev. Dr. Russell L. Meyer, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches. Featuring local choirs and 2018 winner of the MLK Student Essay and Oratorical contest. Sponsored by Interfaith Tampa Bay. 727-560-2567.
• DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: - Sunday, Jan. 14. 4:30 p.m. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 Ninth Ave. S.
• 32nd Annual MLK LEADERSHIP AWARDS BREAKFAST - Monday, Jan. 15. 7:30 a.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N. Keynote speaker: Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby fromLouisville KY. Presented by St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section / National Council of Negro Women Inc. Contact: 727-896-6556. Tickets, $30/advance;$35/door, available at Coliseum Box Office, 727-892-5202.
• 6th Annual MLK DAY OF SERVICE: Monday, Jan. 15. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The MLK Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to unite the community. Join local citizens, nonprofits, and businesses in this annual effort to transform the holiday into "A Day On, Not a Day Off." Locations throughout St. Petersburg/ www.spcollege.edu/MLKservice
• 33rd Annual MLK DREAM BIG" PARADE: - Monday, Jan. 15. 11 a.m. with a new route this year. Parade route travels west again this year: Parade begins on 1st Avenue South at 3rd Street, proceeds west to 16th St., turning south on 16th St. for two blocks, then west onto 3rd Ave. S. and disbanding near Tropicana Field Lot 1. Grand Marshal: NBA Champion Marreese Speights. More info: www.MLKDreambig.com
• 2nd Annual "MLK DREAM BIG" 2018 FAMILY FUN DAY FESTIVAL: - Monday, Jan. 15. 2:30 to 8 p.m. Immediately following the MLK Parade. East side of Tropicana Field, Parking Lot 7A. Free admission. Free activities, games and more. Live entertainment, Kids Zone, food and art vendors (items available for purchase). Disabled parking in Trop Lot 6, enter from 1st Ave. S. near 14th St. Some public parking in Tropicana Lots 8 and 9. For more info or for vendors to register, visit www.MLKdreambig.com.

Photo: Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 at Lincoln Memorial (National Park Service)