TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

City Events Celebrate History In The Making

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: January 14, 2009

PLANT CITY - Champion of the Dream, the theme of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival that begins Friday, takes on special meaning in the wake of the presidential election, organizers say.

The 23rd annual event hosted and organized by the Improvement League of Plant City features activities including a parade, street festival and the popular Statewide High School Step Team Competition.

Henry Johnson, president of the nonprofit Improvement League, said the four-day festival celebrates cultural diversity.

"The African-American experience provides an opportunity for people of all colors and backgrounds to gain knowledge and understanding involving black culture," he said.

The Champion of the Dream theme was selected before Barack Obama's Nov. 4 victory.

"While President-elect Obama was running, we chose the theme because of the fact of an African-American being the first to reach that far in the political arena, not knowing he would win, but hoping he would," Johnson said. Obama's victory "was a dream come true for a lot of people," Johnson added.

Festival events begin with the 11:30 a.m. Friday opening ceremony and continue through Monday. A Plant City Photo Archives exhibit will be an eclectic collection, including photographs of Marshall Middle School when it was the local high school designated for blacks, and the early days of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, said Gil Gott, photo archives executive director.

At 6:30 p.m. Friday, high school teams from the area and as far away as Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Boca Raton will complete for a $1,000 first prize in the step-team competition. The popular event usually packs the venue for the competition, the Marshall Middle School gymnasium, 15 S. Maryland Ave., Johnson said. Admission is $8.

Saturday highlights include a street festival at the recreation center from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. featuring inflatable houses, vendors and entertainment. Unlike previous festivals, there will be no carnival midway.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. Guest speaker at Sunday's leadership breakfast is Ricky Gallon, community services manager of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay and a former National Basketball Association player whose sports career began with a club league in Tampa.

The $25 cost includes breakfast.

"Basically, I'm going to speak about how the Boys & Girls Clubs influenced me, and I've been able grow up through the ranks," Gallon said.

"I've been part of the clubs since I was a little guy ... learning things about myself I didn't think I was capable of," said Gallon, who graduated from Tampa's Jefferson High in 1974, then attended the University of Louisville on a basketball scholarship.

After college, Gallon "bounced around the NBA" before continuing his career playing 17 seasons of basketball with a European league, he said.

During his 14-year association with Boys & Girls Clubs, "I've played a part in helping youngsters find their niche in life," Gallon said.

Proceeds from festival events go toward Improvement League projects. Projects for 2009 include $1,000 scholarships for four local high school seniors, the annual Let's Talk About It conference for 200 local teens, upgrading the Cyber Seniors Computer Lab and ongoing restoration of the Bing Rooming House.

The local King festival was first held in 1986 after the third Monday of January was designated a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.

In addition to the cultural value, the festival produces an economic impact for Plant City, league spokesman William Thomas Jr. said.

"Cultural events seem to be a tremendous draw; they're good for the economy," he said.

Out-of-town step team competitors, their chaperones and other festival visitors book local accommodations for their stay, he said.

"It fills up hotel rooms, and that's always good for the city," Thomas said.

Festival sponsors include the Plant City Courier & Tribune.

Additionally, this year's local event is in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival. That cultural event starts Thursday with a 10-day schedule featuring speakers, musicians, artists, poets and craftspeople.

IF YOU GO

WHERE: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and other Plant City locations

WHEN: Events will be held Friday through Monday

COST: Many events are free

INFORMATION: Go to www.plantcitymlk festival.com or call the Plant City Improvement League at (813) 757-6760.

Event Schedule

FRIDAY

11:30 a.m.: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., opening ceremony, senior citizen luncheon and historical photo display

6:30 p.m.: Marshall Middle Scholl gymnasium, 15 S. Maryland Ave., Statewide High School Step Team Competition ($8 admission) followed by a party and concert.

SATURDAY

10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Street festival, recreation center

1 p.m.: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Parade, starting at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Waller Street, proceeding 1.2 miles east on the boulevard to the recreation center

2:30 p.m.: Car show, recreation center

3 p.m.: Concert, recreation center

7 p.m.: Concert, recreation center

7:30 p.m.: Fashion show, recreation center

SUNDAY

7:30 a.m.: Leadership breakfast, Red Rose Inn & Suites, 2011 N. Wheeler St., speaker Ricky Gallon of Boys & Gils Clubs of Tampa Bay ($25 includes meal)

5:30 p.m.: Gospel celebration, Trinkle center, Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City

MONDAY

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: "Proudly We Serve," a photographic salute to the military, Plant City Photo Archives, 119 N. Collins St.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT