This year’s 15th Annual MLK Grande Parade will take on a bit more significance than in years past, as it comes just one day before the inauguration of the first black U.S. President. What if Dr. King — who would have turned 80 on January 15 — were still alive to see Barack Obama take the oath of office? It’s the kind of guessing game that political pundits are sure to play tomorrow. For today, celebrate MLK’s birthday with half a million of your closest friends as Grand Marshal Chamillionaire and Honoree U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lead 15 floats, 30 bands and 25,000 marching, dancing, waving beauty queens, politicians and assorted folks along the parade route. The actual parade will last three hours, but the celebration’s sure to go on a bit longer. 10 a.m. Starting point is Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford. For information and parade route, call 713-953-1633 or visit www.mlkgrande-parade.org. Free.
Mon., Jan. 19, 10 a.m., 2009
