The parade was rescheduled from its original date on Saturday, Jan. 18, during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend, due to the impact the wildfires had on the many community members in Los Angeles County. Instead, parade organizers were able to move the parade to Monday’s Presidents Day, capping off another three-day weekend.
Parade performers and viewers who lined the route were excited and joyful as they experienced the lineup of marching bands, floats, equestrians, community groups, local dignitaries and government officials despite the month-long delay.
Adrian Dove, chairman and executive producer of the parade, wrote in a press release that the parade was honored to have Crump participate as the grand marshal.
Grand Marshal Ben Crump, civil rights attorney, waves to the crowd while riding in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles All City Marching Band performs in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Congresswoman Maxine Waters runs into the 40+Double Dutch Club as she walks the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Car clubs ride in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Compton High School marching band cheer squad dances in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Alpha Phi Alph Fraternity marches in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna walks in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A Soul Train alumni ride and dance in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Kemahjae Tippon, 4, dances to marching bands as his family watches the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Malise Edwards, 5, does cartwheels as she waits for the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade to begin on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
AHF marches in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Foxy watches the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Metro Board Member Jacquelyne DuPont rides in a vintage bus dressed as Rosa Parks in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Compton High School marching band performs in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Congresswoman Maxine Waters walks the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell walks in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Geneva Andrew, 2, of Mid-City, watches the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 while blowing bubbles. The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Grand Marshal Ben Crump, civil rights attorney, waves to the crowd while riding in the 40th annual Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.The parade, with the theme of peace and unity, was rescheduled for Presidents Day due to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
“His lifelong commitment to justice embodies Dr. King’s dream. In the wake of tragedy, our communities are proving that unity is our greatest strength. This parade will remind us that we can overcome any challenge together.”
Saluting — and crowning — educational goals and success, this year’s parade scholarship award winners were Kingdom Day King Jamael Shotomide (a Santa Monica College student pursuing a degree in film production) and Kingdom Day Queen Mariah Allen (Loyola Marymount University student majoring in political science and African-American studies).
The parade’s royal court also included Prince Christopher Blake and Princess Ashley Walker. The student scholarship program is for ages 18-25.
The parade, presented annually by the Congress of Racial Equality of California, is the “world’s largest and longest running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King.”
