Gifford will host its annual parade next week to celebrate the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The parade – part of nationwide celebrations honoring MLK Day – is usually held not long after King’s birthday on Jan. 15. The prominent civil rights activist would’ve turned 97 this year.
The theme for the 2026 parade is “Remembering the Past While Embracing the Future.” The parade, held along 45th Street, and program held afterward at the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex will take place on Monday, January 19.
Participants and attendees should wear sturdy jackets as the temperature was expected to drop Monday morning in Vero Beach. About 8 a.m., the temperature will dip to the low-to-mid 40s, with wind chills in the upper 30s, said Jared Heil, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
The temperature will warm up to 50 degrees about 10 a.m., and then 60 degrees by 1 p.m., Heil said.
“(Monday) will be the coldest day of the week,” Heil said.
Both the parade and program are organized by the MLK Birthday Committee of Indian River County. The program will feature musical performances along with food vendors.
Longtime Gifford Historian Jonnie Mae Perry will be the grand marshal for this year’s parade. Perry said leading the MLK parade as grand marshal is a true honor.
“It is a reminder for me to continue to strive for Dr. King’s legacy of justice and equality for all and to live a life of service and purpose,” said Perry, who is also the president of the Indian River County Historical Society. “I hope I honor my community by embodying Dr. King’s legacy of service and unity while inspiring others to do the same.”
The MLK Birthday Committee of Indian River County selects the grand marshal each year. Larry Staley, president of the MLK Birthday Committee, said Perry has made great strides in her progress to expand the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, located at 2880 45th St. and across from Gifford Middle School.
“We looked at the work she’s doing to make the community better. All of her work is volunteer,” Staley said. “We search the community to see who’s making strides to make life better not just for Black people, but all mankind.”
The MLK Birthday Committee will also host its annual scholarship banquet that will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave. Rev. Desmond Cook, chaplain for the Miami Dolphins, will be the guest speaker at the event.
Rev. Dr. King, the Atlanta-born minister who preached nonviolence while advocating for equal rights for Black people, was assassinated in 1968 as he stood on the balcony of The Lorraine Motel in Memphis. After King’s death, his widow, Coretta Scott King, along with churches and even famous musicians such as Stevie Wonder, advocated for a federal holiday to honor King.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law, declaring the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday was first officially observed on Jan. 20, 1986. The holiday encourages Americans to participate in community service and reflect on King’s legacy.
Teddy Floyd, vice-president of the MLK Birthday Committee, said the King holiday is a day of hope and for people to work in unity in the community.
“I hope people will embrace each other. Don’t look at the outside of a man…look at his heart,” said Floyd, a retired Indian River County sheriff’s deputy and longtime coach for the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians football team. “Everybody do something positive for somebody else each day. You might change their future.”
More information about the MLK weekend events can be found on the MLK Birthday Committee website.
MLK Parade time, line-up, route:
**2026 Parade Grand Marshal ** Mrs. Jonnie Mae Perry
Event date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Parade line-up time: 8 a.m.
Walkers only line up: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church – 4545 30th Ave., Gifford
Vehicles line up: Gifford Health Center – 4875 28th Court
**Parade start time: 10 a.m. **
Route: Walkers will start at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on 30th Avenue and head south to 45th Street. Vehicles will start at the Gifford Health Center on 28th Court and head south to 45th Street.
The route will head westbound on 45th Street, northbound on 43rd Avenue and end at the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex.
Roads will be blocked off. No traffic will be allowed down the streets after 9:30 a.m.
2026 Annual MLK Scholarship Banquet
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: Doors open at 5 p.m., event starts at 6 p.m.
Location: Gifford Youth Achievement Center gymnasium, 4875 43rd Ave.
Guest Speaker: Reverend Desmond Cook, Chaplain of the Miami Dolphins
For ticket information: Contact the MLK Birthday Committee
