How to Join Houston's Martin Luther King Day Parade

Houston celebrates Martin Luther King Day in grand style, with more than 100 events honoring Dr. King occurring all through January. Houston's Martin Luther King Day Parade however is the most well attended event of all with approximately 400 groups in the parade and more than one hundred thousand spectators lining the route. Join this parade and feel like you're part of history.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Approval from the Parade Committee
• Entrance fee

Register Your Participation

1. Fill out the online form at Houston's Parade Committee website (see Resources below)
2. Write your check for the entry fee and make it out to the Black Heritage Society. The entry fee for commercial participants is higher than the fees for families and non-profits. The entry form has the fee details.

Build Your Float

3. Go all out in decorating. The floats in Houston's Martin Luther King Day Parade can be quite elaborate with ribbons and ornaments in every color.
4. Consider incorporating music, animals or other eye catching elements to draw attention to your participation. Dance troupes, acrobats and drill teams often march in the parade. Just be sure to fill in a complete description of your intended float or group on your entry form.

Join in the Parade

5. Know that Houston often holds two parades, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Typically, the Grande Parade is held in the morning and the parade sponsored by the Black Heritage Society is held in the afternoon. Both are usually held on the Monday holiday commemorating Dr. King.
6. Volunteer to assist in the parade. Be aware that the MLK Parade Committee in Houston is actively recruiting volunteers for next year's event. Sign up your marching band or other group using the entry form available online (see Resources below). Or, if you choose, volunteer to assist in the planning and coordination of the event by calling the Parade Committee at [phone]. Remember that the spirit of Martin Luther King Day is "A day on, not a day off."

Tips & Warnings

• Get your parade group approved before you arrive at the parade route. Your entry form will have a space for you to describe your group. Houston's restrictions and regulations are particularly stringent. You don't want to get there only to be told that you can't join because you don't conform to safety or other standards.