SALISBURY — Despite the cold winds, members of the community gathered to watch the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade as it passed by, making its way down Main Street to Bank Street and ending at the Civic Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

“Although it’s cold, it’s something we always come to,” said Terry Wright. “It’s nice to see everybody out.”

Wanda Wright agreed with him.

Three-year-old Xane Benjamin, who shared with a big grin that he was excited for the parade, watched and waved to the participants with his grandmother Candice Johnson.

She shared that she felt it was important to be there and “acknowledge and recognize the history and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what he did for society (and) for the African-American community. It’s important for us to be able to pay our respects and pay homage to the work that he created and started that we can continue.”

The Salisbury Human Relations Commission hosted the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which began with the parade on Jan. 13 at 11 a.m.

Linda McElroy, communications director for the City of Salisbury noted that the parade has been going on for many years. 

“Previously, it was organized by the West End community and a number of years ago, the Human Relations Council took over the entire Dr. King celebration weekend event including the parade,” she said, noting that it is now called that commission. 

Approximately 35 entries participated, several walking and handing out goodies and others riding in various vehicles and ending with a dance performance by the Salisbury Dancing Queens and Kings Group. 

Anne Little, diversity, equity and inclusion director, said that the parade is “an opportunity for community members to come out and to be a part of and showcase themselves and whatever it is they do,” and she added, “to represent their community.”

Watching her daughter, who was one of the parade participants was why Tina Dunlap said she was there and why the event was important to her, along with “representing part of our culture.”

Gretchen Dunlap noted that in addition to her granddaughter being in the parade, that “since they gave Dr. King a holiday, we should support it in any way we can, so we are out here.” 

Also on hand for the event were Mark and Jackie Curran who were there to watch and support the community.

“It’s a great way to support what’s going on in Salisbury,” Mark Curran said.