The annual Liberty County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade took place Monday, celebrated with the theme, “I’m a movement for unity, justice and equality.”
The grand marshal was Jim Thomas, Hinesville’s first African-American mayor. The speaker for the commemorative service afterward was Dr. Chanté Martin of Midway.
Liberty County residents stood in the windy, cold weather to see a variety of parade participants, including soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and the 3rd ID Band, local fraternity chapters, ministries and churches, civic organizations and social clubs.
Trucks, motorcycles and vans were covered in imagery of King; President Barack Obama, the first African-American president; and other civil rights leaders. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was also heard playing from cars and motorcycles.
Bundled in layers of clothes to keep warm, Beverly Willis and her husband, Ron Willis, of Fort Stewart, lined up on Main Street to watch the annual parade.
“For me, it’s about not just participating in something that the city’s doing, but participating in something that in the history has affected everybody of color,” Beverly Willis said.
Ron Willis said he was there to remember the real reason for the day.
“And to celebrate with the city of Hinesville and look at the changes that have been made throughout the years and stuff and hope more change will be made in the future,” he said.
Parade participants passed out candy to the bundled-up kids, and parents waved back to children on floats. Friends shouted to each other from the sidelines, and others left the parade route to hug them. A sense of community on the streets of Hinesville was evident.
Melissa Shaver of Midway said she brought her two children so they could enjoy the parade and learn about the history surrounding it.
Children from the Liberty County Children’s Home Inc. were also at the parade. Caregivers Cathy Sayers and Chelsea Landon said the children come to the event every year.
They bring the kids to participate in local activities and enjoy the parade, which enhances what the children are learning in school about King.
Debra Frazier, the principal of Midway Middle School for the past 12 years, was the emcee for this year’s parade. Frazier said she participates every year in the King weekend activities.
“Just to let others know the importance of — to represent the community, and let children get a little historical information and understand the importance of the celebration,” she said. “Simply because in history, it is important to know where we have come from, and most often, children don’t get all the total history. So this is good so they can come out and see and commemorate the life and the dream of Dr. King.
“This parade is important to the community because it’s a sense of bonding,” she added. “It’s an opportunity for the community to come together. As you look around, you’ll see many cultures here today just to reflect and remember. And I think it’s a connection within Liberty County as you look around. It’s not only African-Americans, it’s all denominations and cultures here.”
The parade was the highlight out of a four-day observance of the civil-rights leader. Leading up to the parade, starting Friday, which was King’s birthday, there was a dramatic presentation by Love-it Productions. The annual Leadership and Grand Marshal Breakfast, Youth Extravaganza program and area worship services took place on Saturday and Sunday.