City, collard green fest to host MLK parade

ST. PETERSBURG — The city of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc. will celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 39th Annual St. Pete MLK Parade on Jan. 19.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m., traveling west on First Avenue South from Third Street to 16th Street South, then should on 16th Street to Third Avenue South, ending at Tropicana Field.

One of the nation’s longest-running MLK parades, it will feature floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and a vibrant show of unity and diversity.

This year’s parade will feature two distinguished HBCU marching bands: Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. The parade will also include a special appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport’s highest level.

Those interested in volunteering with the annual St. Pete MLK can sign up by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yc2hrmsc or by emailing info@stpetemlkparade.com.

Those interested in participating in the parade can apply at https://tinyurl.com/d2dxtxb9

For sponsorship opportunities, email info@stpetemlkparade.com.

St. Pete residents can request Christmas tree pickup

St. Petersburg residents can request their live Christmas trees to be collected from the city of St. Petersburg, free of charge by submitting a photo in the SeeClickFix app or by calling the Sanitation Department at 727-893-7398.

The city is only collecting trees from customers who submit a special pickup request rather than performing a citywide sweep, as the city has done in years past.

Live Christmas Tree Disposal Instructions:

• Submit a special pickup request in the SeeClickFix app with a photo, or call 727-893-7398 to have your live tree collected.

• Remove all lights, ornaments, garland, tree stands, plastic tree disposal bags, and other decorations. Do not place any Christmas tree accessories in the recycling bin.

• Place the tree out for collection before 7 a.m. in the same location where trash is usually collected.

• Do not place the tree inside trash or recycling containers or lean the tree against electrical poles, trash containers, water meters, etc.

• Residents of apartments and condos should check with property managers on proper disposal of all types of Christmas trees.

Collection will take place through Feb. 9. Details can be found at https://tinyurl.com/7e57ycnz

Residents can also drop off live trees at one of the city’s brush sites. Brush sites are open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Brush sites are closed on New Year’s Day, January 1. Residents should bring a photo ID and water bill for proof of residency.

Doc Ford’s Jungle Terrace collects toys for holiday drive

ST. PETERSBURG — Employees at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille in Jungle Terrace got into the holiday spirit by collecting 50 unwrapped toys for children in Pinellas Park in December. It was the restaurant’s first time participating in the annual Paving the Way for Holiday Magic toy drive sponsored by the Pinellas Park Fire Department.

The event is in its 10th year. Toys and gift cards are collected for hundreds of children, ages six months to 16, and distributed during the annual Breakfast with Santa.

Volunteers from Doc Ford’s have also partnered this year with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, completing weeding and planting projects at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the historic Palm Harbor Museum. Team members also participated in a summertime beach cleanup.

Housing Authority lauds family self-sufficiency achievements

ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) hosted a special event on Dec. 19 at the Enoch D. Davis Center, to celebrate the accomplishments of participants in its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and to recognize the community partners who supported their success.

The event, titled Pathways to Progress: FSS Growth & Achievement Annual Seminar, highlighted the progress SPHA families are making toward economic independence.

Keynote speaker for the event was St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, who praised the FSS participants and graduates. “Tonight, we want to really celebrate your hard work, your determination, and the courage it takes to set goals and to stay committed to them, even when the road isn’t easy,” said Mayor Welch.

The event also featured SPIN El Poeta, an award-winning Guatemalan spoken word artist and Canadian national slam poetry champion.

Your Guide to New Year’s Eve 2026 in Downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG — Ring in the New Year in downtown St. Petersburg. Here’s your guide for fireworks and events, getting around, and where to park.

• NYE on the Pier and Fireworks Show

All are invited to the annual NYE on the Pier, the St. Pete Pier’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which starts at 8 p.m. The event is free, open to the public, and will feature DJs, food vendors, games, champagne bars, and more. Parking will be limited at the Pier, so we encourage attendees to arrive early.

The City of St. Petersburg’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 12 a.m. on January 1, weather permitting, and will be visible from the St. Pete Pier and along St. Pete’s downtown waterfront parks. The show will last approximately 20 minutes.

• Getting There

Get a ride to the event with the SunRunner and Spark, PSTA’s Bus Rapid Transit services. With service from St. Pete Beach to downtown St. Pete every 15 minutes until 1 a.m., the SunRunner and Spark are a quick and easy way to get to the beach, downtown, or anywhere in between. All PSTA bus routes will be free on New Year’s Eve. Routes 4, 18, 34, and 52 will also run until 1 a.m.

You can also catch a ride on the St. Petersburg Trolley/Downtown Looper! The Looper route is the green way to get around downtown. This convenient service can get you to all of the most popular destinations around town, including the Pier.

• Parking

Parking garages, city lots, and metered parking are available downtown. The city parking option with the most capacity available near the festivities will be the South Core Parking Garage at 101 1st Ave. S. – follow electronic message signs to enter from First Ave. S between First and Second Streets.