MLK parade goes off without a hitch

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WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- Washington's Martin Luther King parade was moved from January to April in hopes that the weather would be better, but it wasn't.

Still, low temperatures and snow flurries did not stop the parade from being one of the best in its 28-year history, The Washington Times reported Sunday.

"It was fantastic," said D.C. council member Marion Barry. "It was the biggest and best in the parade's 28-year history, in spite of the cold."

The event was scrapped in January 2005 because of below-freezing temperatures. Organizers permanently moved the event last year from January to April to avoid cold weather.

Saturday's parade was held despite snow flurries and morning temperatures hovering in the mid-30s.

Hundreds of onlookers danced along with a step team from James Garfield Elementary School and Eastern High School's marching band, and candy and T-shirts were constantly flying from a Salvation Army float despite the cold weather.