New London — The city will celebrate Black History Month on Saturday with a parade down State Street.

The parade will start at noon at State and Huntington streets and conclude at Parade Plaza near the intersection of State and Bank streets. City police Chief Brian Wright is the grand marshal, and parade participants include the New London High School Marching Band, high school ROTC, members of the high school's Eastern Connecticut Conference champion basketball and cheer teams.

Everyone is welcome, organizer Debbie Phillips said.

New London Public Schools students who bring a poster or sign with an African American person they admire will be encouraged to march.

Phillips said she is lining up speakers and vendors, and if the weather is inclement, the speech portion of the event could be moved to another location that would be announced at the beginning of the parade.

Along with the parade, Ledge Light Health District is offering a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic for those ages 12 and older inside nearby Union Station. First and second shots and boosters will be available, and all that is required is a form of identification.

Phillips, active in many events and causes throughout the city, said the event began last year as a march along Colman Street and evolved into a parade this year.

"I thought it was important to celebrate our heritage and contributions in New London," Phillips said. "It's a national thing. During the month of February there are Black History Month parades in other cities."

She said the parade, now funded through donations, would become an annual event and the city would budget for it next year.

Phillips can be reached at debbiewood1209@gmail.com.