Thousands of Las Vegans lined Las Vegas Blvd and Fremont Street on Saturday, January 13, 1996 to observe the Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. This was the 15th annual parade held in the slain leader's honor and by far this year's was the most celebrated.

Local Channel 8 - KLAS, newscaster Gary Waddell showed up at the grandstand on Las Vegas Blvd just in the nick of time to co-emcee the event.

The parade started with a somewhat anxious moment as, without warning from the emcees who were still getting organized, the first entry in the parade, a prop airplane buzzed the crowd lining Las Vegas Blvd and appeared to head straight for a collision with the new Stratosphere Tower, before veering to the side to applause from the audience.

Many colorful ethnic dress styles were displayed in the 3+ hour parade. In total over 120 groups were represented.

All in all, the crowd was very well behaved despite the obvious enthusiasm which resulted in some groups of spectators to migrate into the street to get a closer look requiring periodic patrols by police on motorcycles to press them back.

Okay, so maybe not everyone was utterly thrilled...

Nearly every local political figure was present. Below (from left) Las Vegas City Council (spotted, moist-nosed one top, center unidentified... I don't think I voted for HIM), US Rep. Chic Hecht, Lt. Gov. Dr. Lonnie Hammargren and US Sens. Richard Bryan and John Ensign.

As usual, a crowd attracts even not so well known pseudo-celebrities like the mysterious and nutty, Wild Wayne who made an appearance to taunt security.

Local ROTC cadets appear to wait for traffic light at Las Vegas Blvd and Bridger before proceeding.

If your Las Vegas hotel, casino, restaurant or establishment has new major construction, public activities (sorry, slot tournaments and bingo night don't count) or other interesting tidbits to offer, send them to us on company letterhead and if we think LVLG readers will be amazed, astounded, or even slightly interested we'll publish it. Make sure to send LOTS of pictures and written permission to publish them! We love pictures!

Last Updated: November 10, 1995