RIVIERA BEACH, Fla (CBS12) -- Riviera Beach will host tens of thousands of spectators for the 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday.
The city is pulling out all the stops to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights icon, with at least 5,000 spectators expected to line the streets. Street barriers are already in place, and organizers are putting the final touches on this highly anticipated event. Riviera Beach will come alive with music, family-friendly events, and the main parade commemorating Dr. King.
"It takes a big team to complete this, but we're really excited," City of Riviera Beach Special Events Manager Aladia Franks-Edwards told CBS12 News on Friday.
In light of recent tragic events such as the deadly attack in New Orleans, law enforcement will be out in full force to ensure the safety of all participants.
"We did another final walk through with our law enforcement. We have the fire department. We're putting safeguards in place to make sure that everyone is safe," Franks-Edwards said.
For over forty years, organizers have worked tirelessly to ensure visitors honor the social justice leader safely. This year, everyone is talking about the performances, including marching bands from local schools and universities visiting from across the state.
"This embodies what Dr. King stood for. This year's theme is 'Be the change that you would like to see.' It's about unity, community, and coming together," she said.
With the festivities come some necessary adjustments. At around 2 p.m. Thursday, a sewage spill required minor changes to the parade route.
Transportation will be available at various parking locations: the City of Riviera Beach Library, the U.S. Post Office, Barracuda Bay Water Park, JKF Middle School, and the City Public Safety Building.
The city raised more than $60,000 to make this happen, with diamond sponsors including Cheney Brothers, CORE, Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Goode Companies, Inc. of Florida, and Red Speed USA, and additional sponsors like Wendover Management, Pinnacle, CDM Smith, Pittman Law Group, and many more.
CBS12 News will be a part of all the excitement. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., followed by an afterparty at the Dan Calloway-Tate Recreation Park, beginning at 1 p.m.