Families danced, sang to old school classics, and shouted in excitement during the City of Dallas’ Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday.
After the kickoff ceremony, dance performances followed on a shutdown MLK Blvd, setting the stage for the 2026 City of Dallas MLK Parade. The event was hosted and produced by the nonprofit H.E.L.P. (Hope Encourage Love Protect).
The theme of this year’s event was “Marching in Unity with Purpose.” Organizers told NBC 5 that as the gathering grows each year, its mission remains the same: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, his legacy and bringing communities together.
According to H.E.L.P, there were over 200 entries for the parade. Those entries included floats, dance teams, cultural organizations, first responders, youth groups, civic partners, historically black sororities and fraternities and others.
“In the current climate, I would say we have experienced a lot of sadness, heartbreak… a lot of anxiety,” Gregory Harrington with H.E.L.P said. “So, if we can have one day, where you can put all your troubles away…and you can just come out and enjoy your next-door neighbor, the person down the street, somebody you don’t know… this is why we do it…bringing us together and working in unity. Because that is the ideology of Mr. Martin Luther King.”
The parade showcased efforts to honor Dr. King’s dream of a more harmonious society.
“We like to celebrate all people,” Harrington said. “We believe we do this for all, not just for one culture.”
