ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in downtown Orlando has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, according to a press release from the Southwest Orlando Jaycees.

They announced that instead of the parade, they will have a reimagined celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy at the outside venue at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

It will be called the Downtown Orlando Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday parade showcase. The free event will hosted by comedian Rod Z, will have food trucks and feature dance, comedy, community organizations, drumlines, music and artistic expression. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, January 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The 45th Eatonville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade will go on as scheduled. This year's theme is "Marching Through Adversity" and the parade celebration is scheduled for Saturday, January 15 at 2 p.m. Eatonville, the first incorporated all-black city in the nation, said, "We are encouraged to march on in life despite the difficulties we have faced during this pandemic," according to the city's statement on the parade.