Residents of Montevallo will mark a milestone in their city&8217;s history by holding Montevallo&8217;s inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade on Jan. 15.

Organizer of the parade, Shirley Dubose, has worked since last spring to make the parade a reality and honor King&8217;s lifetime of achievement.

&8220;To take a step to honor him is important,&8221; she said. &8220;He worked for everybody, not just for one particular person or group of people.&8221;

The day will begin with a short program at 8 a.m., followed by the parade that will begin at Hardees and continue down the length of Main Street.

Minister Sylvester Mixon, Pastor Jerry and Mayor Sharon Anderson will present a resolution recognizing the date. The parade will include the equestrian guard to present the flags, the Montevallo High School marching band and the oldest residents of Montevallo that DuBose could contact.

&8220;I wanted to bring some history to the parade,&8221; she explained. She is still lining up other groups and organizations to walk in the parade, and hopes to draw city and county-wide participation.

&8220;It&8217;s a milestone to honor [Martin Luther King Jr.] in the parade, and I want to try and bring unity for the city,&8221; said DuBose.

&8220;It&8217;s long overdue really,&8221; said County commission Earl Cunningham. &8220;But I&8217;m just glad we lived to see the day the community is coming together. We are becoming one community instead of one the in-town people, the university, and the minorities over the creek.&8221;

By hosting the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, Dubose said she hopes Montevallo becomes an example to other cities. &8220;I really pray that this is one of those things we can continue not just a one time thing.&8221;