Colorful scenes from San Diego’s MLK parade.

Here come some San Diego firefighters.
Here come some San Diego firefighters.

This afternoon I enjoyed watching a good portion of San Diego’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.  Every January, MLK’s dream of racial equality is celebrated downtown in one of the largest parades of its kind in the United States.  The parade route runs down Harbor Drive on San Diego’s waterfront.

I got a whole lot of photos.  Please feel free to share and enjoy them!

Crowd gathers for annual San Diego MLK parade.
Crowd gathers for annual San Diego MLK parade.
MLK Parade kicks off with many local politicians.
MLK Parade kicks off with many local politicians.
A cool police car fitted with hydraulics.
A cool police car fitted with hydraulics.
A vintage fire truck rolls down Harbor Drive.
A vintage fire truck rolls down Harbor Drive.
This cute little dog is a member of law enforcement.
This cute little dog is a member of law enforcement.
Watching the parade from the announcer platform.
Watching the parade from the announcer platform.
Goodies are handed out by an MLK Parade participant.
Goodies are handed out by an MLK Parade participant.
Candidate for San Diego Mayor, David Alvarez.
Candidate for San Diego Mayor, David Alvarez.
A huge Homeland Security armored vehicle.
A huge Homeland Security armored vehicle.
Border Patrol agents on all-terrain vehicles.
Border Patrol agents on all-terrain vehicles.
Coast Guard patrol boat towed along parade route.
Coast Guard patrol boat towed along parade route.
Patriotic colors precede bagpipes.
Patriotic colors precede bagpipes.
Attending to sound board beside the announcers.
Attending to sound board beside the announcers.
People watch parade from hotel balconies across the street.
People watch parade from hotel balconies across the street.
Here comes the Gadsden Elementary School marching band.
Here comes the Gadsden Elementary School marching band.
Tuba players march in the San Diego MLK parade.
Tuba players march in the San Diego MLK parade.
Gecko celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
Gecko celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
Crowd enthused by a great parade performance.
Crowd enthused by a great parade performance.
A dance routine on Harbor Drive.
A dance routine on Harbor Drive.
Kids perform a fun routine for MLK Parade onlookers.
Kids perform a fun routine for MLK Parade onlookers.
Looking very elegant.
Looking very elegant.
The UCSD band passes by.
The UCSD band passes by.
Young kids have difficulty with SDSU letters.
Young kids have difficulty with SDSU letters.
SDSU Aztec Warrior at MLK Parade in San Diego.
SDSU Aztec Warrior at MLK Parade in San Diego.
Veterans for Peace parade a drone.
Veterans for Peace parade a drone.
Members of a lodge parade on by to loud cheers.
Members of a lodge parade on by to loud cheers.
Marchers honor the Martin Luther King Jr. dream.
Marchers honor the Martin Luther King Jr. dream.
Colorful dancers from the House of Panama.
Colorful dancers from the House of Panama.
Drummers perform with pride on parade route.
Drummers perform with pride on parade route.
Poster on side of truck shows historic MLK speech.
Poster on side of truck shows historic MLK speech.
Some guys having fun in yellow mini cars.
Some guys having fun in yellow mini cars.
Inflatable float from USS Midway Museum.
Inflatable float from USS Midway Museum.
Children determined to achieve great things.
Children determined to achieve great things.
Another fun performance by kids for the parade announcers.
Another fun performance by kids for the parade announcers.
Banner holders stand up for human dignity.
Banner holders stand up for human dignity.
Music and youthful energy on parade.
Music and youthful energy on parade.
Folks in back of a truck celebrate MLK and his dream.
Folks in back of a truck celebrate MLK and his dream.
King and Queen of San Diego MLK Parade.
King and Queen of San Diego MLK Parade.
A beautiful parade queen waves to the large crowd.
A beautiful parade queen waves to the large crowd.
Pooches with American flag bandanas.
Pooches with American flag bandanas.
Mr. Black San Diego greets the crowd.
Mr. Black San Diego greets the crowd.
Inspirational messages head down the Embarcadero.
Inspirational messages head down the Embarcadero.
Students from City College are agents of change.
Students from City College are agents of change.
A smiling beauty perched high atop a parade float.
A smiling beauty perched high atop a parade float.
MLK impersonator relives speech at Lincoln Memorial.
MLK impersonator recreates famous speech at Lincoln Memorial.

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Breaking the Chains on MLK Promenade.

breaking the chains on mlk promenade

This enormous steel sculpture, created by renowned artist Melvin Edwards, is called Breaking the Chains. It stands near the middle of the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, right next to the Convention Center trolley station.

The MLK Promenade is a pedestrian and bike path that stretches along Harbor Drive, from a point near Seaport Village down to the Gaslamp. It’s an excellent place to enjoy the sunshine and take in various sights, including the fun Children’s Museum, fountains, public art, and showy waterfront hotels. Along the walk are tributes to the famous civil rights leader and his cause of human equality. Many of his most inspirational quotes are engraved within and beside the walkway.

Every year, during Martin Luther King Day weekend, the promenade comes alive with the annual Multicultural Festival!

Huge chain links emerges from ground on the MLK Promenade in San Diego.
Huge chain links emerges from ground on the MLK Promenade in San Diego.
Someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate.
Someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate.
Breaking the Chains sculpture in San Diego.
Breaking the Chains sculpture in San Diego.

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