The crowds were thin in Hinesville Monday due to a cold, chilly wind that blew through the downtown area, but the parade went on in honor of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The 40-minute parade wound through Hinesville, passing the reviewing stand, where Liberty County leaders including Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown recognized the parade participants. Also in attendance was Fort Stewart Garrison Commander Col. Manuel F. Ramirez.

Despite the cold temperatures, those in attendance were glad the parade went on, as many MLK parades were cancelled in nearby communities due to the rise in COVID illnesses.

“My little cousin was in the last parade and I missed it because I was in it,” Kimberly Frazier said. “I wanted to see this time and be around the community.”

Frazier, who works in healthcare, said the parade offered an opportunity to get outside and not be in an enclosed environment.

“Just being out and being able to see people in the community is a good thing. Nobody was really up close to each other anyways, so it was pretty nice.”

Charlotte Lovette Norman said it’s the cause that drew her to the parade.

“We believe that we are here for restoring our democracy, regardless of the weather,” she said. “If we think about what our forefather endured in order for us to be here, well, then, what’s a little bit of wind, a little bit of cold? It is nothing compared to the sacrifices that were made.”

She said being an outside event made it easy to practice social distancing and said the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. is worthy of supporting the event.

She said Liberty County is the epitome of a community showing love, diversity and unity.

View additional photos below in our gallery and watch a VIDEO.