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Weekend Worthy: Honor MLK’s legacy with this lineup of Tarrant celebrations

January 16,2025


See full Fort Worth Report article by David Moreno here.

Happy Thursday,

The sounds of school marching bands and hundreds of stomping feet will soon fill the streets of downtown Fort Worth as Tarrant County residents honor Martin Luther King Jr. 

The annual holiday parade will return for its 40th anniversary as community leaders march several blocks to remember the living hope of King’s Dream. The celebration will conclude with a rally at Sundance Square. 

Can’t make it to the parade? No worries, because several other events will honor the civil rights leader’s legacy over the three-day weekend. Check out our guide to the festivities in Arlington here

What’s your earliest memory of honoring Martin Luther King Jr.? Let me know by replying to this email. I would love to hear your stories. 

In addition to the holiday weekend, we’ve also rounded up some of the top events at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, which kicks off Friday.

Parade through the streets in honor of MLK

What: 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade and Rally 2025
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St.
Admission: $40

Stock show tradition gallops through the city

Watch as Western floats, marching bands and riding clubs parade through Fort Worth to kick off three weeks of festivities.

What: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade
When: 11 a.m. Jan. 18
Where: Taylor Street, Downtown Fort Worth
Admission: $12-$20

Tap into your inner poet and let the words fly

Bring your best rhymes and powerful words to a spoken word competition celebrating King’s legacy.

What: MLK Poetry Slam 2025
When
: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 18
Where: The Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth
Admission: $7

Give back to your community through service and celebration

Join volunteers for a family-focused event filled with dancing, music and education.

What: Arlington MLK Day of Service Festival
When: 10-2 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: City Center Plaza, 100 S. Center St., Arlington
Admission: Free

Diverse athletes saddle up to take center stage

Take your seats as cowboys and cowgirls of color compete in traditional rodeo events

What: Cowboys of Color Rodeo
When: 2 p.m. Jan. 20
Where:
Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth
Admission:
$30-$250

Thanks for reading! Do you have a Weekend Worthy event? Add it to our community calendar.

David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.