Different route, same dream for Oviedo Martin Luther King parade 

The Oviedo Martin Luther King parade changed routes but still drew a crowd on its way to Round Lake Park.

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News
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January 17, 2024

“Blueprint for a New World. Dimensions: Justice, freedom, equality for all. Are you ready to build?” This was one of the many powerful slogans adorning the floats in the Oviedo Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade on Monday. 

The parade started at the City of Oviedo’s Gym and Aquatics Center instead of its usual takeoff point at Oviedo High School because of the road construction on Broadway Street. The construction is part of a long-term road widening project spanning much of the width of Oviedo.

After paper confetti, candy and positive messages were spread down Broadway Street, the City of Oviedo and Oviedo Citizens in Action hosted a celebration at its usual ending spot: Round Lake Park, which recently opened its updated playground. 

Johnson Hill Washington Heights Community Outreach donned bright yellow hard hats, signaling the building of positive change. 
Johnson Hill Washington Heights Community Outreach donned bright yellow hard hats at the Oviedo Martin Luther King parade, signaling the building of positive change. 
Grand Marshal Ginger Gadsden, WKMG News 6 news anchor,
The parade’s Grand Marshal Ginger Gadsden, WKMG News 6 news anchor, led a ‘celebrating the dream’ banner. Photo by Megan Stokes
Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek biked ahead of the Oviedo Historical Society’s banner.
Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek bikes ahead of the Oviedo Historical Society’s banner. Photo by Megan Stokes

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Mission Road Church created a ‘justice, freedom, equality for all’ float.
Mission Road Church created a ‘justice, freedom, equality for all’ float. Photo by Megan Stokes.
The Oviedo City Council float puffed paper confetti as it rolled down Broadway Street.
The Oviedo City Council float puffed paper confetti as it rolled down Broadway Street. Photo by Megan Stokes.
Hagerty High School Black Student Union
Hagerty High School Black Student Union marches in the Oviedo Martin Luther King parade. Photo by Megan Stokes.
Cub Scout Pack 139 in Oviedo
Cub Scout Pack 139 tosses candy during the parade in Oviedo. Photo by Megan Stokes.
Cub Scout Pack 39 in Chuluota
Cub Scout Pack 39 in Chuluota was one of the first participants in the parade. Photo by Megan Stokes.

Round Lake Park’s newly renovated playground
Caroline Vidal, 4, enjoyed the new slide at Round Lake Park’s newly renovated playground. Photo by Megan Stokes.

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Author
Megan Stokes

Megan is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Oviedo Community News, the only independent news source for Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. She oversees editorial content, policy and staff. She attends meetings, sends out the e-newsletter and curates conversations in the community to understand the information gaps that OCN needs to fill. She also works to create partnerships that can strengthen the bond between community and newsroom.

She has served as an award-winning community journalist for more than 20 years, including as associate editor for the East Orlando Sun and a reporter for the Seminole Voice, the Winter Park-Maitland Observer and Orlando Magazine.

In 2024, Megan was named Editor of the Year by the Society for Professional Journalism. With the Central Florida Foundation and Central Florida Public Media, she co-found the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.

She served as treasurer for the Florida Press Club for seven years and has won awards from the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Florida Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalism. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism (now called the Reed College of Media) at West Virginia University.

Megan also loves yoga, running and playing board games with her family.

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