MLK parade expects record crowd

On Monday, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade will take over Fourth Street in downtown Las Vegas at 10 am.

The parade will start at Hoover Avenue and finish around 11:30 at Ogden Avenue.

This year, a record-setting attendance is expected to surpass 2012's turnout of 18,000 people.

Parade marshals will be the Rev. Marion Bennett, founding pastor of Zion Independent Methodist Church, and Lillian McMorris, former KVVU-TV, Fox 5, public affairs director and producer-host of A.M. Southern Nevada.

KCEP Power, FM 88.1, has been selected as the honorary grand marshal as it celebrates its 40th year of broadcasting.

Judges will select the most unique float, best commercial float and best middle and high school bands.

The best overall entry will be added to a plaque, which the winner keeps until it is awarded at next year's parade.

Judges will be Chris Giunchigliani, Clark County commissioner; Tyrone Thompson, regional initiatives coordinator of Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition; and Kenyatta Lewis, the executive director of Supplier Diversity for Global Procurement at MGM Resorts International.

The parade is the highlight of 2013 King Week Las Vegas, which honors students, educators and community involvement.

On Saturday, the Dr. MLK Committee of Las Vegas Scholarship Banquet will feature a keynote speech from Gary L. Loster, chairman and CEO of G.L. Loster and Associates, at The Orleans.

On Sunday, the Second Baptist Church at 500 Madison Ave. will host a gospel extravaganza from 3-5 p.m.

At 1 p.m. Monday, the MLK Dream Fest will bring food vendors, cultural merchandise vendors, a car show, entertainment and family-friendly activities to Edmond Town Center, on the corner of Owens Avenue and H Street.