JANS – Retired educator Leola Harris and Natchez Police Chief Cal Green will serve as co-grand marshals for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, which is set for 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in downtown Natchez.

Leola Harris

“This will be an exciting event and a great way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Jacqueline Marsaw, who chairs the parade committee. “We will have a broad range of participation by individuals and by many different groups. We invite everybody to come out and be part of this important event.”

In addition to King, several people will be recognized for their work in the struggle for civil rights. Marsaw said the honorees include U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.); Philip West, former mayor of Natchez; Barney J. Schoby, the first Black elected to serve on the Adams County Board of Supervisors; and the late Rev. Leon Howard.

“We want to honor those who fought for civil rights,” Marsaw said, adding their work should never be forgotten.

The parade is sponsored by The Natchez Branch of the NAACP. It is an annual event held for the entire Mis-Lou community.

Marsaw said the parade route will be the same as in 2023 and previous years, beginning with the lineup for the parade at 2 p.m. on Broadway Street.

The parade route will begin at North Broadway and Franklin streets and will travel along Franklin to N. Dr. M.L. King St., where it will turn left and proceed up to Minor Street, where it will end.

At the conclusion of the parade, trophy presentations will be given at the corner of Dr. M.L. King and High streets for the best float, the baddest vehicle, bands, and dance groups. 

Both the float contest and vehicle contest will have first- through fifth-place awards presented, Marsaw said.

 For more information on the parade, call Marsaw at 601-443-1350.