Annual MLK Day Parade, MLK Community Fun Day & Day of Service Scheduled
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—The Carolina African American Heritage Foundation (CAAHF), in partnership with the City of Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance will celebrate the 21st anniversary of Grand Strand Freedom Week, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with special events from Jan. 16 to 20, 2025.
“For more than 20 years, Grand Strand Freedom Week has united Myrtle Beach area residents for a week of empowerment through education and support. Like the late Dr. King, we call on all our community to embrace our individual talents and work collectively toward creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected,” said CAAHF Chairwoman Marcella Swans.
The week will begin on Friday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a special kickoff reception at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Entry is free and open to the public. Entertainment will be provided by Tamir & Company.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will travel along Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Blvd. from 15th Ave. North to 8th Ave. North. Organizations throughout the Grand Strand are invited to participate in the parade at no cost. Registration is now open.
Following the parade, the MLK Community Fun Day will be held from Noon to 4 p.m. at Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand. All youth and their families are welcome for this free event with games, entertainment and youth resources.
On Sunday, Jan. 18, the CommUNITY Ecumenical Service will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Sandy Grove Baptist Church, 1008 Carver St, Myrtle Beach.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m., the MLK Drum Major Awards and Breakfast will be held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Inspired by Dr. King’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon, the awards honor community leaders in service and engagement. This year’s award recipients will be Wayne Gray and Eric Goings.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m., volunteers will be helping to remove litter and debris from the grassy area surrounding the retention pond near 928 Osceola Street, where Osceola intersects with Mercantile Place, just south of Joe White Avenue. Supplies will be provided. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and gloves.
All events are free to attend except for the Drum Major Awards and Breakfast. For more information and to register for events, visit CAAHF.org.
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Editor’s Note: Images of previous MLK Parades in Myrtle Beach can be downloaded HERE.
About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm, Visit Myrtle Beach, promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.