MLK Parade and banquet set for Jan. 14 

Eva Tisdale said the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is on this year and organizers say they hope it reminds people to strive to keep Dr. King’s dream alive. 

Tisdale, coordinator for the MLK Parade for the last 15 years, said the parade is about everyone striving to remember Dr. King’s legacy and to not forget about what happened in the past. 

“We want to make sure people know how important this is,” Tisdale said. “We’ve been talking to the students and asking them to do research on what Dr. King’s dream was. We know the things he did that brought change to the United States, and we’re striving to keep that change going and remember his dream.”

The MLK Parade this year is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14. Tisdale said the lineup begins at 10 a.m., and the parade begins at 11 a.m. It will follow the exact same route as the Philadelphia Christmas Parade, which begins on Poplar Ave., comes up Main Street, takes a right by the Justice Court at Byrd, takes another right onto Beacon Street, a left by the Busy Bee Suites, another left on Myrtle, and then a right back onto Byrd Ave. The parade ends in the Philadelphia High School parking lot. 

Multiple bands are taking part in the parade, including Philadelphia High School and Neshoba Central, East Central Community College, Canton High School, Velma Jackson, and Holmes Central. Mattie Hudson from State Farm is serving as the Grand Marshal. 

“There will be a few floats from things like the Church of Christ, but we don’t focus entirely on floats,” Tisdale said. “We’re focused on getting people to participate. We’ve been doing this parade for at least 25 years and I hope people will see that we’re still keeping the dream of Dr. King alive.”

Following the parade, Tisdale and the parade committee are also hosting an MLK Banquet at 6:30 p.m. in the Neshoba Coliseum. She said tickets for the banquet are $15.  

“At the banquet, seniors from all three schools in the area (Philadelphia High School, Neshoba Central, and Choctaw Central) can write essays about MLK, with the topic being ‘what is your dream for your community, county, state, and country as a whole,’” Tisdale said. “The top three essays win scholarships to any college of their choice (first place is $500, second place is $400, and third place is $300). Shannon Whitehead will be the guest speaker as well, and we are giving out a Volunteer of the Year Award.” 

Tisdale said she hopes the parade and banquet will bring awareness to MLK and in order to keep his dream alive, people must do things now to keep the legacy going. 

“I hope and pray this year more people will be involved, and we pray for good weather,” she said. “I want to thank the local businesses like The Citizen’s Bank, Marshall Ford, and Beck’s Funeral Home, who have donated to us to make this parade happen.” 

Tim Moore, executive director of the Philadelphia-Neshoba Chamber of Commerce, said he appreciates Tisdale and her committee for organizing the parade. 

“It adds so much to our community, especially when everyone gets involved,” Moore said. 

To apply for the MLK parade, contact Tisdale at (601) 479-1370, or pick up an application at the Depot or the Neshoba County Library.