Mesa to mark MLK Day with parade, festival and street rededication
Jan 12, 2023, 4:05 AM
PHOENIX – The city of Mesa will mark its tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade, festival and street dedication to the civil rights icon on the national holiday Monday.
The Phoenix suburb will rename a section of Center Street as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Mesa Arts Center during its 25th anniversary observance of King’s legacy.
The new roadway designation will appear on signs between Brown Road and First Avenue.
“The vision and legacy of Dr. King serves as an inspiration for Mesa, in our commitment to being a just, equitable and inclusive city,” Mayor John Giles said in a Tuesday press release.
“As part of our 25th-anniversary event, the honorary street dedication celebrates his civil rights leadership and dedication in fighting for equality for all.”
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The street signs will also honor Mesa’s historic Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood, an area with roots that were planted in the early 20th century during racial segregation.
After the sign dedication, the Mesa-East Valley MLK Parade will run from 11 a.m. to noon along a new parade route.
The procession will start at Center Street and MLK Way, head south to First Street then go east until it ends at Hibbert.
After the parade, the festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. at the Plaza at Mesa City Center near Main and Center streets.
The festival will feature food, music, vendors, and activities and crafts for children.
