Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Clermont’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was held on January 15thbeginning with a parade that led to even more family-fun festivities at Waterfront Park, Clermont.
The annual parade co-sponsored by the City of Clermont, Lincoln Park Rams, and Christian Men in Action, kicked off from McKinney Park (801 Bloxam Avenue) at 10 am. Local historian and business owner, Micki Blackburn-Nagel was the parade’s Grand Marshall, followed by Clermont’s Mayor Tim Murry, and Clermont’s First Lady, Kassi Murry. The parade included local and national elected officials as well as organizations such as the Lincoln Park Rams Motorcycle Club, Lincoln Park-South Lake Alliance, Full Force Dance Academy, the City of Clermont’s Police and Fire Departments, and the Lake Minneola High School Marching Band.
From McKinney Park, the parade continued along East Avenue, passing the recently completed and first school year session of Aurelia Cole Academy. The academy was named after Aurelia M. Cole, a beloved and long-time educator at the previous campus, Clermont High School. Cole was a prominent figure in the Lake County School system during her 44-year career as both an educator and administrator.
The procession made its way to the destination at Waterfront Park where plenty of family fun was in store for the community. Bounce houses, mini-train rides, informational booths, and food vendors were plentiful on the beautiful shores of Lake Minneola for all to enjoy. 
