News Of Fort Worth captured the City of Dallas MLK Parade on January 19, 2026, in a 49-photo gallery that shows how the city marked the holiday.
At a Glance
- The parade stepped off along MLK Blvd. and S.M. Wright before ending in Fair Park.
- The theme, “Walk Together in Unity with Purpose,” paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- News Of Fort Worth and Telemundo 39 served as proud sponsors of the event.
- Why it matters: The images document Dallas’ public commitment to compassion, justice, and shared progress.
The City of Dallas produced the parade in association with H.E.L.P. (Hope Encourage Love Protect). Organizers chose the 2026 theme to spotlight unity and purpose as core values tied to King’s enduring legacy.
Parade Route and Crowds
Spectators lined the traditional route that starts on MLK Blvd., turns onto S.M. Wright, and finishes inside Fair Park. The path has remained the same for years, giving residents predictable vantage points and businesses time to prepare for street closures that began at sunrise and lasted until early afternoon.
City officials closed:
- MLK Blvd. from Pine Street to Robert B. Cullum
- S.M. Wright Freeway service roads near Al Lipscomb Way
- Both inbound and outbound lanes entering Fair Park’s main gate
Dallas police officers directed traffic at each intersection while volunteers handed out programs listing the 49 marching units, high-school bands, and community floats that rolled past onlookers.
Photo Gallery Highlights
Derrick M. Collins shot every frame in the 49-image collection now hosted on the station’s website. The sequence begins with pre-dawn setup shots and ends with cleanup crews sweeping confetti off the pavement.
Key moments frozen in the gallery:
- A drum major tossing a baton against a clear winter sky
- Children on a float tossing beaded necklaces to the crowd
- City council members linking arms while walking the route
- A veteran holding an American flag and a “Walk Together” sign
Each photo carries a brief caption identifying the group or individual featured. The images are free to download for personal use under a Creative Commons license arranged by the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
Sponsor Role and Broadcast Coverage
News Of Fort Worth and Telemundo 39 provided financial support and on-air promotion for the parade. Station vans parked at three intersections displayed live weather updates and public-service announcements between commercial breaks during the 6 a.m.-noon newscast.
Marketing staff handed out branded sunglasses and reusable water bottles branded with both station logos. Social-media teams posted real-time updates on Facebook, X, and Instagram using the hashtag #DallasMLK2026, which trended locally by 9:30 a.m.
Community Groups Step Out
H.E.L.P., the parade’s co-host, recruited more than 30 nonprofits to walk together behind a shared banner that read “Hope Encourage Love Protect.” Founder Pastor Elaine Ritter addressed the crowd before step-off:
> “We walk today because Dr. King walked before us. Unity is not a slogan; it is a daily decision.”
Other organizations represented in the lineup:
- South Dallas Fair Park Neighborhood Association
- Dallas ISD JROTC programs from six high schools
- Lambda Kappa Kappa sorority alumni chapter
- Texas Organizing Project education fund
Each group submitted a short mission statement printed in the official program distributed to an estimated 15,000 attendees.
Safety and Clean-Up
Dallas Fire-Rescue positioned two aid stations along the route and reported only minor injuries: three heat-related cases and one twisted ankle. No transports to the hospital were required.
Sanitation crews collected 2.3 tons of trash, down from 2.8 tons the previous year. Officials credit new recycling bins placed every 200 feet along the sidewalk.
Legacy Message
The 2026 parade continued a tradition that started in 1986, two years after Congress established the federal holiday. City records show attendance has grown from 3,000 at the first march to today’s estimate of 15,000.
Mayor Erica Johnson told News Of Fort Worth:
> “Every step we take down MLK Boulevard is a promise to keep building the city Dr. King imagined-one where justice rolls down like water.”
The mayor’s remarks closed the post-parade rally inside Fair Park’s Tower Building, where local gospel groups performed until 3 p.m.
Key Takeaways
- 49 official photos now archive the 2026 event for public viewing.
- News Of Fort Worth and Telemundo 39 underwrote costs, ensuring free admission.
- The “Walk Together in Unity with Purpose” theme will return on the next observance, keeping continuity with this year’s message.
- Organizers already plan to increase recycling bins and add a second first-aid tent for January 19, 2027.
