SAN ANTONIO — UPDATE 1/15
The MLK Commission has canceled the 2024 MLK March due to ice weather conditions.
They released this statement on Monday morning:
"For the safety of all participants, the City of San Antonio and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission have announced the cancellation of the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. March. The cancellation comes as officials closely monitored the changing weather conditions, which have brought extreme cold temperatures and precipitation through the area.
San Antonio began experiencing freezing precipitation overnight, forcing road closures throughout the region. If you must travel, plan accordingly and drive with caution. Please closely monitor weather conditions by following local news channels and the City’s social media pages."
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San Antonio is home to one of the biggest MLK marches in the country and 2024 is expected to be no different.
The City of San Antonio is planning for a massive turnout once again this year and is offering options for people to park and ride. The event is hosted by the MLK Commission, which was created on April 3, 1986. On January 19, 1987, the commission and the City of San Antonio held its first official Martin Luther King, Jr. March, although marches had been held on the east side since 1968.
When is the march?
The MLK March takes place every year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is the third Monday of every January. This year, it takes place on January 15, 2024, which is Dr. King's actual birthday.
The march begins at 11 a.m. this year. The commission delayed the start by one hour this year due to expected freezing rain on Monday morning.
Where does the march begin and end?
The march has been delayed by an hour and now begins at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy at 3501 Martin Luther King Drive at 11 a.m. This decision was made due to the icy weather.
It goes through a 2.9 mile route ending at Pittman-Sullivan Park at 1101 Iowa St. A large festival with a main stage with multi-cultural performances, speakers, food vendors, health and wellness vendors and family activities are planned for the park.
Preparing for the cold weather
The City of San Antonio is requesting that everyone take care and follow these guidelines on what's expected to be a bitterly cold Monday with morning lows in the 20s:
- Dress in layers to stay warm.
- Wrap up well when going outside in the cold.
- Avoid breezes and drafts indoors.
- Eat nutritious food and wear warm clothes to ward off winter chill.
- Wear a warm hat in the winter.
- Eat hot foods and drink warm drinks several times during the day.
See the map below for the full route.
March organizers note that no cars, motorcycles or other vehicles are allowed on the route during the event.
Via Park and Ride options
With more than 300,000 people expected to participate in the march, using Via's free park and ride service is highly recommended. Passengers may access bus free service to the march from 8 to 10 a.m. at the following locations:
Freeman Coliseum
3201 E. Houston St. (Lot 1)
San Antonio, TX 78219
St. Philip’s College
1801 Martin Luther King Dr. (Lot 22)
San Antonio, TX 78203
The drop-off point for service to the march will be on MLK Drive, west of Upland Drive.
Buses will return passengers to the original pick-up locations from 12 to 3 p.m. Participants may access return service at Pittman-Sullivan Park at 1011 Iowa Street. The buses will be clearly marked with either St. Philips College or Freeman Colliseum.