City takes over MLK parade, show will go on

Meg Saligman and her team have transformed 42,000 square feet of vertical canvas into "M.L. King Mural: We Will Not Be Satisfied Until , " the largest mural in the Southeast and one of the five largest in the country. Meg Saligman and her team have transformed 42,000 square feet of vertical canvas into "M.L. King Mural: We Will Not Be Satisfied Until , " the largest mural in the Southeast and one of the five largest in the country.

By Staff Report January 16, 2016 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Red Carpet for Research Gala

Celia Blasier, Robert Chandler and Kylie Chandler

Carmen Jacobson, Leslie Godwin and Debra Wingfield

Janet Gonyea, Denise Gregory and Bruce Donaldson provide entertainment.

Nacretia Seymour, Vickie Glenn and Kristi Barton

Christina Sutton, Michael David and Leslie Rheaume

Honoree Dr. Paul Phillips, Lynn Bacon, Brenda Glasier and Dr. Charles Glasier

Katie Oslica, Wyatt Prentice and Anna Luneau

Leah Greenfield, Jennifer Barnhouse and Rolla Shbarou

Megan Middlekauff, Andrew Cozens and Tasha Lowe

Susan Bell, Katie Oslica and Anna Luneau

The Children's Tumor Foundation held a true "red carpet" event to support their research efforts. Held at Chenal Country Club, the evening included live music, an auction and a fashion show by local designer Jamileh Kamran and her students.

Jan. 18:

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Southern Adventist University/Salvation Army “Street Store” in downtown Chattanooga, offering free clothes to the homeless.1:45 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Parade lineup at the intersection of North Moore Road and Brainerd Road between Waffle House and Ridgeview Baptist Church.3 p.m.: Parade starts. One-mile march from intersection to Brainerd High School. Parade ends in parking lot near the football stadium.5 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday concert with Phusion Dance Group, TruSaint & TureMog of Savior Gang and Big Mike Mic.

Despite concerns that the longstanding Martin Luther King Birthday Parade in Chattanooga might be done for this year, the show is back on and will proceed as scheduled tomorrow.

But its historical host and organizer, the Unity Group, for the first time will not be at the driver’s wheel – instead, the city is now hosting the event.

Sherman Matthews, Unity Group president, said Friday night the parade was canceled because of organizational and scheduling issues. He said the city did not approve the parade permit in time for the route to be set up and barricaded with traffic cones for safety.