Orange County

Eatonville MLK Jr. celebration to go on as scheduled Saturday

EATONVILLE, Fla. — Eatonville’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is always a big draw. Last year’s parade was canceled, so this year’s event on Saturday will provide a much-needed boost to the economy.

“We get a big crowd here and we have vendors set up. We just have a great time celebrating MLK Day,” business owner Glenn Paige said.

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However, the family of Martin Luther King Jr. is calling for celebrations to be canceled until Congress passes a voting bill to protect the rights of disenfranchised voters, putting pressure on President Joe Biden and lawmakers.

“I kind of agree with it, because the voters’ issues are very important,” Paige said.

READ: Downtown Orlando MLK parade canceled due to COVID concerns

Eatonville Mayor Eddie Cole said his town is doing its part to support the cause.

“We’re making sure there’s no voter suppression, because we’re going to have voter registration going on at the same time,” Cole said.

READ: White House COVID test ordering site is live, orders start on Jan. 19

The parade will go on as scheduled, rolling down Kennedy Boulevard at 2 p.m.

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Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.