Street culture: Kingdom Day Parade along Martin Luther King Boulevard

By Tara Godvin, for The Times

The image of Barack Obama was everywhere along the parade route of this year’s Kingdom Day Parade on Monday -- on posters adorning floats, on merchandise-covered vending tables and on many, many T-shirts. A number of viewers said the event carried special significance this year, falling on the eve of the swearing-in of the nation’s first black president.

From left, Aita Adeoye, 13; Leland Bell, 14; Melody Bell, 10; and Brianna Adeoye, 12, prepare to march alongside a float in support of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles). (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 11:07 AM PT

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On the scene at the 24th Annual Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles.

A flower-embellished bicycle and beige suit added both whimsy and style to the parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Dervonshay Jones, 16, and Eve Smith, 20, show a dash of neon footwear. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

The Compton High School Drill Team and drum major Artwan Green pose before marching off on the parade route. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Hammad Salam makes cookies from using his mother’s recipe. “I’ve been attending King’s parade for maybe the last 10 years with my cookies,” he said. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

From left, Breonna Kelley, Lavonne Bryant, Sheneke Kirkwood, Yolanda Bryant and Tashaneika Lipsey sold homemade lemon and chocolate cake during the parade. “Every year I’m right here ... right here by the hot dogs,” said Lavonne Bryant. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Alumni of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity gathered to watch the parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Tony Gonzales, Caroline Mai and Jasmine Gonzales, 3, all of Los Angeles, turned out for the parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Members of the Campbell family got together for Monday’s parade and Tuesday’s inauguration of Barack Obama. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

The Love family of Pasadena added to the parade crowd. Pia Jones, second from right, said the group was also planning an Inauguration Day barbecue. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Summer Wilson, 12, Kaylene Artberry, 8, and Tiara Buckner, 22, were among the first to stake out places along the parade route Monday morning. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Shirley Clark’s T-shirt featured images of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Ronisha Smith of Carson accented the day with Time-magazine red. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Nate Roots, Brandon Lynch and Luther Byers were among the many spectators at Monday’s Kingdom Day Parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

A reveler dances to the music and shows off her unique style at the Kingdom Day Parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Jordyn Wheeler, 16, and Benjamin Lewis, 17, celebrated the day. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

Los Angeles resident Nathan Tripp brought daughters Nakiya and Ashley to the parade. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)

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Street culture: Kingdom Day Parade along Martin Luther King Boulevard

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