The Annual MLK Parade brings Historic Goldsboro to life as schools, bands, dancers, riders, walking groups, organizations, and families come together in celebration. The parade is both a longstanding Sanford tradition and a visible expression of unity, service, and the community spirit at the heart of the MLK celebration.
Annual MLK Parade at a Glance
📅 Monday, January 18, 2027 @ 10:00 a.m.
📍 Historic Goldsboro Boulevard
⌛Deadline to submit application: January 7, 2027
(No event-day applications will be accepted)
The parade begins at Historic Goldsboro Boulevard and Persimmon Avenue and proceeds east to Holly Avenue. The Dr. MLK Committee asks for your continued support in our efforts to present a parade with integrity and dignity.
As a way to improve the quality of the parade, the Dr. MLK, Jr. Committee is encouraging more decorative floats, vehicles, walkers, bands, singing groups, and dance groups to represent what the day really means - brotherhood/sisterhood, brotherly/sisterly love, nonviolence, and service to mankind to help him up and not down.
The parade participation entry fee is $25 for any motorized vehicle or walking group. The entry fee does not apply to public or private schools.
The signer of the application will be notified if a parade participants’ meeting will be required. If a meeting is scheduled, the application signer is requested to be present to answer any questions and/or concerns that you or the Parade Committee may have regarding your performance, float, vehicle, or group participation. Weather permitting, we look forward to a great parade.
Together, we can make this the best and most memorable parade and celebration.
Parade Guidelines
Staging 8:00 a.m. | Crooms Academy of Information Technology High School, 2200 Historic Goldsboro Boulevard, Sanford |
Check-In 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Pook Bear Restaurant parking lot, corner of Persimmon Avenue and Historic Goldsboro Boulevard |
Parade Begins 10:00 a.m. | Historic Goldsboro Boulevard; disbursement at Holly Avenue |
Weather NO RAIN DATE | The event is scheduled for the date and time above |
Rules & Safety
NO CANDY THROWING FROM FLOATS OR MOVING VEHICLES
Candy or other handouts may be given by helpers alongside the parade float, vehicle, or walkers only.
This event is scheduled for the date and time listed above; the parade participant(s) agree that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Steering Committee, Inc. will not be responsible for any loss caused by fire, flood, theft, rain, cold, fog, or any other elements of nature or man.
All entries must submit, along with their application, a non-refundable parade entry fee of $25 or the appropriate amount. The parade entry fee does not apply to Public/Private Schools.
No individual walking group/club/vehicle will be allowed to take part in the parade without the prior approval of the Parade Committee, who reserves the right to reject those entries not in compliance or do not adhere to the following regulations (4 through 14).
Parade participants are required to present their identification tags/permits at all times. (City Permits will be given out during the staging time).
All individuals and organizations participating in the parade are subject, while in the City of Sanford, to obey the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction. Failure to adhere to those laws and regulations or to obey the lawful command of an official empowered to give such command will cause immediate removal from the parade, and may be cause for arrest and/or fine.
Marshals assigned for this purpose will control the conduct and movement of the parade. Participants will obey the directions of the Marshals as it relates to the parade. Failure to do so will cause the offending individual, walking group, or motorized vehicle to be removed from the parade.
Units may contain no element higher than thirteen feet (13’) to provide clearance of overhead wires and traffic lights.
Music, Movement & Safety
All units with children under third-grade (3rd) level require that adults are stationed along the parade route to assist in the event a young person becomes tired or requires other attention.
For everyone’s safety, no candy or any object will be thrown during the parade. No firecrackers, discharge of firearms, or other pyrotechnics are allowable.
Individuals and organizations in the parade must perform courteously, in good taste, and with safety in mind at all times during the formation, execution, and dismissal of the parade. There will be no persons hanging out of vehicle windows and/or doors
To preserve the integrity of the parade, ONLY music that reflects the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is allowable. Any other music is grounds for removal from the parade.
All participants with a motorized vehicle (4-wheeler, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, etc.) must be 18+ years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and provide proof of auto insurance and registration.
All floats, marchers, and vehicular entries in the parade must be decorated and/or carry signs, banners, or other displays that reflect the parade theme of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Performance Zones
Parade Dance Units are limited to 30 seconds to perform in the designated Performance Zones. If you’d like to showcase your talent for more than 30 seconds, stop by the MLK Tent at the festival in the Park to sign up to show-off your talent in a longer performance slot.
After 30 second performance, please continue to move forward with parade procession:
Historic Goldsboro Blvd. and Oleander Avenue
Historic Goldsboro Blvd. and Olive Avenue
Historic Goldsboro Blvd. and William Clarke Avenue
REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION
Parade Application
Sign the Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement
Motorized Vehicle: copy of Driver’s License, Registration, and Automobile Insurance
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Cash
Money Order or Cashier’s Check
Online (plus payment processing fees)
For details, please contact Mr. Kenneth Bentley at 321-262-5075 or by email info@mlksanford.org.
SUBMIT PAYMENT BY:
Check or Money Order payable to:
Dr. MLK, Jr. Steering Committee
P.O. Box 500
Sanford, FL 32772-0500
Support MLK Sanford
Help support four days of scholarship, worship, fellowship, public celebration, and community participation.
Make the festival part of your MLK weekend.
The Festival in the Park follows the Annual MLK Parade, making it easy to continue the day together after the parade ends.
Bring your family and friends, explore the vendors, enjoy the entertainment, and spend the afternoon connecting with the Sanford community.