2026 NAACP DeKalb MLK Jr. Day Parade – Frequently Asked Questions
Get the full PDF version of the FAQs here which includes directions and maps for the parade
2026 MLK Parade
January 1, 2026
Dear Parade Participants,
We are excited to have your unit in this year’s Martin Luther King Jr., l Parade presented by The NAACP Dekalb County Branch. The City of Stonecrest, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, the New Black Wall Street, and Privi are the sponsor of this year’s parade. The NAACP is the largest and most influential civil rights organization in the nation. The vital work we do advancing political, educational, social, and economic equality for Black people in the United States is essential to our existence.
Kickoff of the Parade is scheduled for 10:00 AM, organizations will be allowed to enter the staging area at 8:30 AM on Monday, January 19, 2026. The arrival of your organization should be no later than 9:00 AM. Please note that all participants will need to check in upon arrival. Check-in will be located at the New Black Wall Street.
Using MARTA to travel to the parade is recommended. Parking at Privi is the official parking area for parade participants. There will be a shuttle bus available to take you to the parade staging area (New Black Wall Street). The NAACP is not responsible for any vehicles left at these facilities.
All persons participating in the parade are asked to have visible signs honoring Dr. King. The sign(s) should say phrases honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., such as “Happy Birthday, Dr. King,” “MLK Jr. Honoring his legacy and dream,” or “Dr. King, the Power of your dream lives on in all of us,” etc. The signs can be made on a standard poster board that is 22 inches high/28 inches wide. Consider using Best Print & Design, 4287-B Snapfinger Woods Dr., Decatur, phone 404 288-5595 for sign printing at a reasonable price.
No objects shall be thrown from any vehicle or trailer during the parade. Participants who wish to provide giveaways shall have walkers along the edge of the sidewalk to hand out the giveaways. Giveaways shall be handed to individual spectators by the walkers and shall not be thrown into any spectator areas. Participants are jointly and exclusively responsible for the safety and compliance of every vehicle and trailer driven, used and/or included in the parade and must perform safety checks of such vehicles and trailers prior to and throughout the parade.
NAACP DeKalb appreciates your cooperation as you work with us to make the 2026 DeKalb County Parade a safe and notable tribute to Dr. King illustrating in all messaging the “Power of Us”. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at (404) 241-8006.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, January 19, 2026 in Stonecrest, Georgia. Sincerely,
Nakhia Hill
Nakhia Hill Parade Chair
GENERAL INFORMATION
The NAACP Parade Staff has complete and final authority over your unit’s conduct in the staging area and along the parade route. Failure to obey the City of Stonecrest Police or the NAACP Parade Staff will be cause for ejection from this parade and future parades.
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Start Time: The staging area opens at 8:30 AM; Monday, January 2026.
All organizations must arrive by 8:30 AM.
The parade will step off at 10:00 AM
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Formation: See formation instructions on Diagram #2.
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Parade Route: The parade starts at New Black Wall Street:
- Left on Mall Parkway
- Right on Stonecrest Square
- Left on Mall Ring Road
- End in Front of Privi
4. Restrictions:
- Participating in the parade in no way releases anyone from the Laws and Regulations of the City of
- Halting or delays are strictly
- Maximum height of equipment not to exceed 12
- Buses and cars to be used for pick-up after the parade should park at unless instructed otherwise. The NAACP Dekalb is not responsible for cost associated with parking.
- If additional space is required for the formation of a specific position/group, an area will be assigned by the parade chairman the morning of the event.
- Absolutely NO personal or corporate signage is permitted on vehicles without NAACP Parade Staff authorization. No exceptions.
5. Parking Plan:
- Only vehicles in the parade and Parade Staff will be allowed to park in the Staging Vehicles not in the parade should drop participants off at the staging area and park at Privi. There will be a shuttle bus (see schedule) on site to carry participants back to the staging area or along the parade route.
- Buses are asked to drop of band members at the staging area and park at Band members will follow the directions of Parade Band Coordinators for formations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION FOR THE PARADE
- There are two ways to register for the parade – via the NAACP website info@naacpdekalb.org or via the QR Code on the flyer.
- A member of each organization registering to participate in the parade must be a verified member of the NAACP. Registration fee is $20; non-profit organizations do not have to pay the registration fee (donations are welcomed).
- When registering for the parade please complete the Interest Form. A Waiver of Liability form will be sent to each organization once an interest form and membership is Please bring the Waiver of Liability form to the parade. The form will be collected prior to the parade.
- Upon receipt of the Interest form, organizations will be assigned to one of four Organizations will be notified of there Group assignment via email.
MARTA IS SMARTER WHEN COMING TO THE PARADE
- Buses 86, 111, and 116 leave from Indian Creek Train Station enroute to Stonecrest
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS will be available on-site during the entire parade. Medical Staff are connected to parade staff and volunteers should an emergency arise. Please notify parade staff ASAP for assistance in the event of an emergency.
RESTROOM FACILITIES
Restrooms are located at New Black Wall Street and Privi. The Mall at Stonecrest opens at 11:00AM
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN
Though unlikely, the MLK Parade will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. No refunds will be given to paying units. Inclement weather is defined generally as:
- Persistent rain (not a passing shower), with the threat of lightning
- Flood
- Heavy snow
- Tornado
- Other Acts of God
For questions regarding the weather on parade day, all parade participants and volunteers are asked to call the
(404) 241-8006 for the most up-to-date information.
Please note: If the Parade is canceled, please understand it is for the safety of the fans, staff, volunteers, and all participants.
PARADE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Parade participants (including, but not limited to signage, costumes, float, or unit design, and played or performed audio, spoken word or music, and/or materials that may be provided for distribution) may not reflect, support, or oppose any topics that are political or divisive in nature, including political affiliation, race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation. The NAACP Parade Staff reserves the right to prohibit any organization from participating in the parade that violates these guidelines.
- The throwing of any object from a float or any other vehicle is strictly prohibited by the City of Stonecrest and the NAACP Throwing objects causes dangerous situations as children run to the street to collect items and run the risk of not being seen by drivers and participants. You may hand them out along the route from the curbs.
All movement must be in a continuous forward motion.
- All participants are encouraged to dress in a costume or Uniforms are great brand recognition for your organization. If your group does not have official uniforms, please be similarly dressed.
ALL components of a parade entry MUST be approved by the NAACP Parade Staff (including any vehicles, walkers, sound equipment, etc.). Any changes or add-ons also need to be approved by the Parade Staff, including trailers.
- All entries must follow height and width There are definite boundaries along the parade route that can hinder an oversized vehicle from making its way down the entire route. The maximum height of equipment should not exceed 12 feet in order to clear overhead traffic signals, wires, and trees. The maximum width of the parade route is 34 feet.
- Participation in the parade in no way releases anyone from observing the City of Stonecrest laws and
- The parade staff reserves the right to remove any organization from the parade route at any given
- The use of firearms, fireworks, and confetti are prohibited – this includes
- All animal units are responsible for cleaning up after their animals in all areas; staging, parade route,
- Waivers: A waiver for each participant must be on file with the NAACP Dekalb County prior to participation in the Please contact Latasha Broden or Nakhia Hill if you have not filled out a waiver.