FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Events are happening across the country to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including in South Florida, where a parade and unity march was held in Fort Lauderdale and a parade was held in Miami-Dade County.
The parade and unity march is a long-time tradition in Broward County. The day started with big parade at 8 a.m. and then continued with a festival.
The parade left from Lincoln Park, continued down Sistrunk Boulevard and finished at Esplanade Park.
Middle school and high school bands, dance teams, veterans groups, sororities, fraternities and mentoring programs all came out to represent their part in the community.
"It's been a tradition since I was a child," Derian Morgan said. "I used to march in the parades and I'm just trying to keep the tradition going with him (his son)."
"It is very, very important, because a lot of kids these days don't really know their history (and) where they come from, so being out here today is a really good experience," Tasha Henderson said.
The festival is continuing throughout the day at Esplanade Park, where awards were handed out, community leaders are speaking and there are plenty of food and fun for families.
The event ends at 2:30 p.m.
A parade is also being held in Miami along Northwest 54th Street. The parade is expected to finish at 2 p.m.