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LaGrange is set to host the 36th annual Martin Luther King Parade on Jan. 11.

The Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Theta Xi Zeta chapter, sponsors the event each year. This year’s theme is “We are stronger when we work together.”

“We are excited to bring that theme to the community and want everyone to get involved with it,” said Nicole Joseph, MLK Parade Organizer and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority President.

This year, the parade route will begin and end at the LaGrange High School parking lot, 100 Hunnicutt Place. The route will go through North Greenwood Street, West Haralson Street, Church Street, Broome Street, and then Ridley Avenue back to North Greenwood. It will be the same route as the annual Christmas Parade.

The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Line-up will begin for participants at 8:30 a.m. Residents should expect street closures surrounding the parade route starting at 12:45 p.m.

This year’s grand marshal will be George Bailey. The longtime Chamber of Commerce member and former Hogansville City Councilman was selected for his community work and his efforts as the first African American member of the chamber, Joseph said.

Bailey will be unable to attend the parade due to him having recently received a heart transplant at Vanderbilt University on Dec. 6, 2023. Bailey is still in Tennessee as he recovers and undergoes post-op procedures and won’t be able to return home until February. Bailey’s daughters, Jasmine Copeland and Desire Bailey, and his grandsons, Carson Copeland and Diesel Davenport, will represent him in the parade.

“I’m honored to be selected. I want to thank the Zetas. It was a great honor for me. I am sorry I can’t get back. They got me out to stay here about four to six more weeks,” said Bailey, adding that he is feeling better and everything is going great with the heart transplant.

“I’m grateful,” he said. “Dr. Martin Luther King, the things that he stood for, justice, all men are created equal, I think that’s what I try to exemplify and certainly as a leader in our community.”