Members of eight central area churches will serve as grand marshals in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace & Unity Parade, Councilman Dee Andrews announced Wednesday.
Members of Antioch Church of Long Beach, Christ 2nd Baptist Church, Gospel Memorial Church of God, Grant AME Church, Bethel AME Church, New Hope Baptist Church, St. John's Missionary Baptist Church and St. Mark Baptist Church will lead the parade. Each has a long history in the central city's 6ht District.
"Church is a way of life, a rhythm, a community, a movement and I am very grateful for the praise that the members of each church spread across my neighborhood," Andrews said.
The honorary grand marshals are two mascots -- Charlie Brown, who will appear on behalf of Knott's Berry Farm, and Ronald McDonald.
The event is being organized by Andrews and the city of Long Beach's Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine. The theme for this year parade and accompanying celebration is "Strength To Love."
The parade route begins on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 16th, intersecting Anaheim Street.
The route will proceed north on MLK, turn east on 19th Street and then north on Lemon Avenue.
Parade Parking is available at Long Beach City College's Pacific Coast Campus on Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. Shuttle buses will take spectators to and from the parade route between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Andrews' 6th District Office at (562) 570-6816.
