Hardeman County Honors a King at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade {video}
The 31st Annual Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade was held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, in Downtown Bolivar. The sun broke through, bringing warmer temperatures on a winter day for an afternoon parade that was attended by many from the community.
The starting point was at Bolivar Elementary School where more than 52 groups of float, vehicle, and walker participants gathered for the parade lineup. Many groups registered prior to the start of the parade and several more registered on the day of the event.
“We didn’t really know who was going to be in it until they registered,” said Chairman of the Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Committee Monroe Woods who noted student groups, clubs, organizations, as well as bands were invited to register to participate. “We missed holding the parade in 2021 and 2022, so we were kind of starting over again to get interest.”
Woods was pleased with the interest and the response from people who registered.
“It was really special for the committee that had the opportunity to sponsor the parade, and for the community to be able to come and watch it,” said Woods. “The participants were a kind of mixture we hoped for when we started this process.”
Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse and City of Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic both rode in the parade. Woods shared there were representatives from most of the townships in Hardeman County in various forms like with the Town of Whiteville Mayor Gene Bowden who walked with some of his Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Bolivar members.
“The other thing we have begun to do is recognizing the importance of our youth and children being a part of the parade, because the mantle is going to be passed onto the next generation to live out the dream that Dr. King had,” said Woods. “The parade Grand Marshall was Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) senior Madison Boatwright. She was accompanied by BCHS class Vice-President Kaylee Bryant, Treasurer Annalise Lucas, and Secretary Tatianna Ly. Also, Bolivar Elementary School students rode in a school bus and were very excited to participate waving to all.”
Woods, who normally walks in the parade, did something differently this year deliberately staying on the sidelines so he could see the parade. That perspective is one he has never experienced in his 15 years of working with the presentation of the Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. He had one comment about what he saw as a spectator.
“I was extremely impressed!”
You may watch the full video of the 31st Annual Hardeman County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by following Hatchie Press on Facebook and subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
