Winter Garden Hosts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration 2025

January 13, 2025

Celebrate with us as we honor and commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hosted by the City of Winter Garden, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration will be held on Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The free community event includes a parade through historic downtown, live musical entertainment, fun children’s activities, community vendors, and more! Join us for the festivities to honor such an important historic figure.

Parade

Kickoff at 11:00 a.m.
Historic Downtown

This honorable event kicks off at 11:00 a.m. with a parade through historic downtown Winter Garden. Take part in the festivities by bringing a lawn chair or blanket and head to your favorite viewing spot along West Plant Street to enjoy and cheer on the procession of community floats and participants. The parade travels along West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Central Avenue.

Entertainment & Activities

11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue

Immediately following the parade, the festivities continue from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. The family-friendly activities include live musical entertainment, children’s activities, and more. Food and refreshments are available for purchase from onsite vendors, as well as at nearby downtown eateries.

Live Music

Join friends, family, neighbors, and the local community in celebrating at the event’s live outdoor concert. Talented artists Selwyn Birchwood and Sugar Vibe will have everyone singing and dancing.

Selwyn Birchwood , 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
The award-winning guitarist and vocalist will have everyone on their feet with his soulful blues, R&B, and rock tunes. Inspired by musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, along with his Florida roots, Birchwood labels his original music style as “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues.” You won’t want to miss whom Rolling Stone calls “a remarkable, contemporary bluesman”.

Sugar Vibe , 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Sugar Vibe is a band that blends their tight harmonies, smooth instrumentals, and catchy melodies to create a luscious, New Age Pop sound. Their original music is inspired by pop, rock, electronic, and R&B and will cause any listener to find their rhythm.

Children’s Activities

The celebration will include a fun assortment of free kids activities including lawn games, a rock climbing wall, face painting, stilt walkers for photo ops, and even a video game truck!

Vendor & Community Booths

A wide variety of tasty food, snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase from onsite vendors. Some of the options include Asian bowls, hot dogs, empanadas, cheesesteak sandwiches, BBQ, ice cream, smoothies, kettle corn, cinnamon roasted peanuts, and lemonade. Local community partners will have booths with fun activities and giveaways. No coolers or alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Parade Parking & Shuttle Information

Shuttle Service (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) – Free!

Courtesy of the City of Winter Garden, COMPLIMENTARY Shuttle Service will operate continuously 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on event day from the Offsite Parking Lot/Shuttle Stop at 848 E. Plant St. (southeast corner of Ninth Street and East Plant Street across from Winter Garden Library) to the Downtown Event Shuttle Stop at corner of Tremaine Street and South Boyd Street.

Parking – Always Free!

Public Parking Facilities Walkable to Event include (no shuttles):
Downtown Parking Garage (three levels), 160 S. Boyd St.
Boyd Street 117-space parking lot, 37 N. Boyd St.
Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant St.
Sam Williams Little League Complex, 415 S. Park Ave.
Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Ave.

Note: Parking along West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets, will not be available for parking due to the event’s road closures.

Road Closures

Due to the event, Plant Street from Dillard Street to Central Avenue, as well as a portion of adjoining side streets, will be closed on Monday, January 20, from 2:00 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m. In addition, Tremaine Street between Highland Avenue and South Boyd Street as well as Lakeview Avenue between Plant Street and Tremaine Street will be closed on Monday, January 20, from 2:00 a.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m.