ROCKINGHAM — Hundreds marched — or rolled — down East Washington Street on Saturday for the annual parade honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
But the national civil rights legend wasn’t the only one honored.
Leading the parade was someone carrying a poster with a photo of the late Ruth and J.C. Watkins, both pillars of the Richmond County community in education and civil rights for decades. J.C. Watkins passed away earlier in the week and Ruth Watkins died in 2021.
Rockingham native and Grammy Award winner Dante Bowe served as the grand marshal for the parade and three former NFL players were also honorees: Tony Horne, wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams; James Hamilton, linebacker for Jacksonville Jaguars; and Harry Stanback, defensive end for the Baltimore Colts.
Inspired by King’s infamous “I Have a Dream” speech, the theme for this year’s events is: “Dream. Believe. Do.”
The parade is the second of several events for the holiday weekend.
