Santa Ana : Black History Parade to Be Staged Saturday
Floats, marching bands, TV celebrities and equestrian units will be a part of the city’s eighth annual Black History Parade on Saturday in downtown Santa Ana.
The theme for this year’s parade and festival is “Americans in Unity: Continuing the Dream,” a reference to the famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. February is Black History Month in the United States.
The festival will be held in Birch Park, at the corner of 3rd and Ross streets, after the parade.
The parade, which was viewed by an estimated 7,000 people last year, will begin at 15th and Main streets at 10 a.m. It will proceed south along Main Street, west on 3rd Street, then north on Ross Street. The procession will end at Ross Street and Santa Ana Boulevard. City officials stress that the event will take place regardless of the weather.
Since its inception, the parade has been co-sponsored by the city and the Orange County Black Historical Commission. This year’s grand marshal is Mabel King, star of the TV show “What’s Happening Now” and other Broadway and film productions. Riding the parade route in classic cars along with King will be other TV actors and city council members.
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