Lake Charles residents will gather to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day with the annual MLK Parade on Monday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.

This decades-long tradition will feature over 65 participants that will bring celebrators “plenty of music, fun and candy,” as they march through Lake Charles, said Donald Thomas, Owner of Southern Touch Entertainment.

He explained that traditions such as this are important to bring progress to the forefront of the mind. “Martin Luther King Jr Day represents unity, faith, determination, community, progress and the rich, cultural and resilient history of African Americans,” he said. “It serves as a reminder of where we came from, an appreciation of where we are and a roadmap of where we can go.”

This is Southern Touch Entertainment’s goal in hosting the parade. Thomas described the three tenants of their mission as “Community, Heritage and Legacy.” They aim to keep culture alive.

“It is important that cultural traditions exist, continue and are held with excellence to educate and carry on the history behind it to future generations.”

This is also a time for unity, he said. “It is also an opportunity for other races to show camaraderie and unity with African Americans, which was also part of Dr. King’s mission.

Parade participants include civic organizations, schools and churches, which will be walking or riding ATV’s and Side by Sides.

It will also feature Marching bands from Washington Marion High School, LaGrange High School and Lake Charles College Prep and dance troupe performances.

The parade will flow from the Lake Charles Civic Center and to Lakeshore Drive to Broad Street to Enterprise Boulevard and to Mill street before circling back to Lakeshore and the Civic Center.

Lineup for parade participants will begin at 8 a.m., with the parade commencing at 10 a.m. and lasting until Noon.

Float applications are due tomorrow, Jan. 13. Registration fees are $40 per entry for ATVs, cars, trucks, floats and marching or walking. To register, visit www.southerntouhent.com.

For more information, call 337.309.4720.