Kingdom Day Parade

Jan. 20, 2014, 29^th Annual Kingdom Day Parade– This was the first Kingdom Day Parade I’ve been too, I was participating in the parade with my school. The theme of the parade was «Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us ‘Round». The parade is put together by The Congress Of Racial Equality of California (CORE-​CA). It was CORE that invented the FREEDOM RIDES and the SIT-​INS in the 40’s and 50’s. It was CORE that first brought non-​violence into the Montgomery Bus Boycott that would be led by Dr. King.
Other people have said I was «brave» for going to this event due to the area (South Central LA) and how something goes down every year it happens. Now I don’t know what vague something they were alluding to, but from my experience I had a safe and fun experience. There was a strong police presence, I saw multiple officers placed at regular intervals about every half block or so. They saw police on foot, bicycles, motorcycles, horseback, squad car and helicopter. There was only one moment in the parade when I saw about 10 motorcycle cops drive by really fast with lights on, but the show went on.
The parade was long and there were multiple stops, throughout so as a spectator I guess that would be a good thing since you won’t miss anything. It was a very warm day for a parade in January, so make sure that you bring water and maybe Gatorade to replace electrolytes, you don’t want to pass out from heat stroke. I know as a participant, you might not want to drink to much in order to avoid running off to the bathroom, but it’s more important than getting carted off on a stretcher.
There were bands, floats, local businesses and local leaders/​celebrities making a presence within their community. A really festive parade, there were tents set up outside people’s houses selling food and drinks also a tents set up at the parade end in Leimert Park so there was a fair like atmosphere to the parade. There were also many LA famous bacon wrapped hot dog carts, some even setting up shop across the street from one another, don’t bother packing a lunch just bring a few dollars and you’re covered! Large crowds of people bring religious nuts, just don’t make eye contact with the proselytizers, the guy that was carting around a large homemade bible about 6 X 7 feet and bullhorn was… interesting.
Lots of photo opportunities, if you have the day off come down and wish everyone a «Happy King Day!» I recommend you getting dropped off and picked up on a small side street, to avoid the traffic jam of everyone leaving at the same time. Surprised that there were no reviews for this yet since it’s the largest MLK Jr. Day celebration in Southern California and been going on for almost 3 decades. Official coverage from ABC 7 news from 11am to 1 pm and I even saw a channel 5 news van too.