MLK Parade Survey

For the past four years, the MLK Holiday Parade has been held in the downtown area of Jacksonville, Florida, and have drawn the largest body of participants and onlookers in its 20 year history. However, the parade has its origin, roots, and development in the Black community. Like so many other organizational activities, we are committed to continuous quality improvement, and would like to solicit ideas, comments, and suggestions on how to improve the parade and increase its popularity. Please comment on the following:

1. THE DAY OF THE PARADE

 (Recent parades held on MLK Holiday)

 2. THE PARADE ROUTE

 (Parade route downtown from Courthouse to Metro Park)

 3. POST-PARADE ACTIVITIES

 (Sponsored by Jacksonville-Area Legal Aid at Metro Park)

Please read carefully and make an informed decision. Comments are welcome

PLEASE CHOOSE THE BEST POSSIBLE DAY FOR THE MLK PARADE

The weather is always a major factor in the quality of the MLK Parade. Rain or severe weather could possibly cause a cancellation of the parade when held on the 3rd Monday of January (the national observance of MLK's birthday). In light of the cancellation (and inability to reschedule) the 2002 MLK Parade, the MLK Memorial Foundation is considering applying for two parade permits each year.

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Permit #1 for the 2nd Saturday of January. 

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Permit #2 for the 3rd Monday of January (if 2nd Saturday parade cancelled due to bad weather).

This strategy will provide us with a window of availability if the parade (Permit #1) is postponed on Saturday due to inclement weather.  If postponed, the parade (Permit #2) will be held on the following Monday. Regardless of the weather, one strong argument for having the parade on the 2nd Saturday of January is the fact that most employers do not recognize the MLK Holiday. Consequently, many people miss the parade and the subsequent festivities.

On the other hand, if the parade date is changed there will be very little celebration activity in Jacksonville on the national observance of Dr. King's birthday. The possible void creates a strong argument for continuing to have the parade on the national holiday.

Taking into consideration the above argument, please choose the best possible day for future MLK Parade Celebrations.   

PLEASE CHOOSE THE BEST POSSIBLE MLK CELEBRATION SITE

Historically, we have held MLK Parade Celebrations in the vicinity of Edward Waters College and the J. P. Small Ball Park. However, three years ago we moved the parade to its present downtown location. The parade ends at Metropolitan Park, and is followed by a formal program hosted by the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Society. If the parade was not held downtown, but started from a Northside vantange point, it would end either at Edward Waters College or the Prime Osborne Convention Center. Please indicate your preferred parade route:

Thank you for completing this brief, but very important survey. Your input will figure prominently in the review of the parade date and the location of the birthday celebration. We will publish the results of the survey, the parade route, and the location of the birthday celebration in November, 2002.

COMMENTS

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