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Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic
StatusActive
GenreParade
Date(s)Every second Saturday in August
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)East 35th to 55th Streets on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Chicago, Illinois
CountryUnited States
Years active1929 (1929)–present[1][2]
InauguratedAugust 11, 1929; 95 years ago (1929-08-11) [3][4]
FounderRobert Sengstacke Abbott
(founder)
Most recentAugust 10, 2024
Next eventAugust 9, 2025
Websitebudbillikenparade.org

The Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic (also known as The Bud Billiken Day Parade) is an annual parade held since 1929[5] in Chicago, Illinois. The Bud Billiken Day Parade is the largest African-American parade in the United States.[6] Held annually on the city's south side on the second Saturday in August,[7][8] the parade route travels on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive through the Bronzeville and Washington Park[9] neighborhoods. At the end of the parade, in the historic Washington public park is a picnic and festival. Robert S. Abbott, the founder and publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, created the fictional character of Bud Billiken, which he featured in a youth advice column in his paper. David Kellum, co-founder of the newspaper sponsored Bud Billiken Club and longtime parade coordinator[10][3] suggested the parade as a celebration of African-American life.

Since its beginning, the parade has featured celebrities, politicians, businessmen, civic organizations and youth. It is considered the second largest parade in the United States,[11][12][13][14][15] whose focus is on celebrating youth, education, and African-American life. The parade is also cited as the "back-to-school" celebration, marking the end of summer vacation and resuming of school for Chicago's youth.[16][17][18]

History

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Chicago Department of Human Resource float in the 1973 parade. Photo by John H. White.
Barack Obama float for 2004 U.S. Senate race in the 2004 parade.
Miss Black Illinois in the 2004 parade.
U.S. Navy band marches in the 2008 parade.
Anti-violence group for a Chicago high school in the 2008 parade.
Hillcrest High School marching band in the 2008 parade.

Bud Billiken is a fictional character created in 1923 by Abbott, who had been considering adding a youth section to the Chicago Defender newspaper. While dining at a Chinese restaurant he noticed a Billiken. Some of the early Billiken columns were written by Willard Motley, who later became a prominent novelist. During the early 1930s, names of international youth were listed in the "Bud Billiken" section of the newspaper every week. Between 1930 and 1934, approximately 10,000 names appeared and were archived in the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library of the Chicago Public Library.[19]

During the Great Depression, Abbott featured the Bud Billiken character in his newspaper as a symbol of pride, happiness and hope for black residents.[20] The character gained prominence in a comic strip and the Chicago Defender newspaper.[20] Although the character was created in 1923, the parade did not begin until 1929, when David Kellum initiated it as a celebration of the "unity in diversity for the children of Chicago". It has since grown to become a locally televised event and the second largest parade in the nation.[19]

The parade, which began on August 11, 1929,[4] now includes politicians, beauty queens, celebrities, musical performers, and dozens of marching, tumbling and dancing groups.[20] It has grown from a locally sponsored event to one with major corporate presence and is seen as a signal of the impending end of summer and beginning of the new school year.[20] As such the parade sponsors raise money for college scholarships for local youth.[20] The parade route has changed over the years. The original route was along Michigan Avenue beginning at 31st Street, then turned east into Washington Park. Complaints for north–south traffic flow caused rerouting the parade route to South Parkway (now named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive), which runs directly into the park. At various times, street repairs have necessitated use of the Michigan route, but the current route is now the King Drive route.[4] Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll of Amos 'n' Andy were the first guests in the first parade. Robert S. Abbott led the first parade in his Rolls-Royce. Dr. Marjorie Stewart Joyner, president of the Chicago Defender Charities, Inc., organized the parade for over 50 years. Numerous high-profile celebrities and dignitaries have attended the parade over the years, including U.S. President Harry S. Truman,[21] Michael Jordan, Barack Obama, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall,[22] Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, James Brown, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Paul Robeson, Chaka Khan and Billie Holiday.[20][4] Truman rode alongside John H. Sengstacke, who was Abbott's nephew and took over the Chicago Defender in 1948, and Mayor Richard J. Daley in the 1956 Parade.[23] Recent parades have featured popular musical acts as concert performers at the post-parade picnic. In 2006, approximately 26 million people saw the parade,[24] including 25 million television viewers and 1.2 million attendees.[8] The 2006 parade included 74,000 participants and 160 floats and vehicles.[8] The 2008 parade was dedicated to actor and comedian Bernie Mac (star of The Bernie Mac Show)[25] and a native of Chicago; he died an hour before the start of the parade. In 1993, a request by a black LGBT group to participate in the parade was declined by the organizers. Following legal action and the involvement of Lambda Legal, the Ad Hoc Committee of Proud Black Lesbians and Gays was allowed to participate in the parade the following year.[26][27] The 2020 parade, marking its 91st year, saw the first-ever cancellation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A "scaled down" event was held in 2021.[28]

Parade

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Illinois Governor Dan Walker at the 1973 parade. Photo by John H. White.

The parade has categorized contests for participants such as best float, and best marching band.[29] It takes place in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, starting at 35th Street [30] and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive at the southern border of the Douglas community area, south of the landmark Victory Monument. It continues south to 55th Street in Washington Park. This route covers approximately 2 miles (3.2 km). This route takes the parade through the Grand Boulevard and Washington Park community areas.[31]

Grand Marshal

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A notable person or persons are invited each year to serve as Grand Marshal, often featuring politicians, musicians, or entertainers. Chicago native Chance the Rapper served as the Grand Marshal for the 88th annual parade in 2017. Chicago native and singer Chaka Khan served as the Grand Marshal at the 2014 parade.[32] Rapper T.I. served as Grand Marshal for the 83rd annual parade in 2012.[33]

Theme

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Bud Billiken Parade is themed every year by the parade committee. The tradition began in 1940 when the parade organizers themed the parade "Americanism" to demonstrate patriotism in the US within the African-American community.[34] Other themes over the years:

Broadcast

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The parade has been televised for over 40 years, beginning in 1978 on WGN-TV; which broadcast the parade until 2012. WCIU-TV covered the parade beginning in 2012 after it was canceled from WGN-TV but later canceled it in 2014.[79] WLS-TV has been broadcasting the parade since 1984. The 89th Annual Parade took place on August 11, 2018.[24] BET and Centric premiered the parade on their networks in 2012.[80] On August 8, 2020, WLS-TV aired a television special for the 91st Annual Bud Billiken Parade in place of the 2020 parade which was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.[81][82][83][84]

After Parade Activities

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The parade begins at 10 A.M. After the parade, visitors are welcomed to stay in Washington Park for the "after-parade-activities". The "after-parade-activities" has various festivities and vendor booths.[31] The post–parade festivities often include a concert. The 2006 parade featured Yung Joc,[85] and the 2007 parade featured Pretty Ricky.[86][87] However, it seems neither "after-parade-activities" included a concert.

Notable events

[edit]

2003 concert

[edit]

The 2003 parade featured B2K.[4][88] The concert was free with virtually unlimited space in the park for viewing. However, the crowd became unruly causing the concert to be curtailed. Over 40 attendees were taken to hospitals as a result of injuries in the violence, including two teenagers who were shot.[89]

2007 parade

[edit]

At the 78th annual parade in 2007, then–U.S. Senator Barack Obama served as the Grand Marshal for the second year in a row.[90] Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley attended, and march participants included U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn and the Rev. Al Sharpton.[91] One float represented the Chicago 2016 Committee and included past Chicago Olympians Bob Pickens, Willie May, Diane Simpson-Bundy and Kenny Johnson as well as the son of Danell Nicholson. The Chicago Bulls' mascot made a guest appearance.[86]

Restructuring

[edit]

The Chicago Defender Charities underwent a major restructuring in 2017. Myiti Sengstacke–Rice is board president of the Chicago Defender Charities and Bud Billiken Parade Chair. Sengstacke–Rice is the great-grandniece of Robert Sengstacke Abbott, granddaughter of John Herman Henry Sengstacke, founder of the Chicago Defender Charities and daughter of the late famed photojournalist, Robert Abbott Sengstacke.[citation needed]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chicago Tribune (August 11, 2017). "Bud Billiken Parade 2017 - If you go..." Chicago Tribune.
  2. ^ Encyclopedia of African American Society, Volume 1 - Bud Billiken Day Parade - By Gerald D. Jaynes
  3. ^ a b "Bud Billiken Parade History: How It All Got Started". Chicago Defender. August 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Bud Billiken: 78th Annual Parade and Picnic (Parade history)". Chicago Defender Charities, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  5. ^ Semmes, C. (April 2, 2006). The Regal Theater and Black Culture. Springer. ISBN 9781403983305.
  6. ^ a b Bud Billiken Parade 2024: Chicago back-to-school tradition celebrates '95 Years of Legacy'. ABC7 Chicago Digital Team. August 10, 2024. https://abc7chicago.com/post/bud-billiken-parade-2024-chicago-back-school-tradition-celebrating-95-years-legacy/15168559/#:~:text=The%20theme%20for%20this%20year,Bud%20Billiken%20Parade%20grand%20marshal.
  7. ^ Jerald Walker, "Dreams From My Father," Mother Jones, January/February 2009, p. 53
  8. ^ a b c "Bud Billiken: 78th Annual Parade and Picnic (Parade facts)". Chicago Defender Charities, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on August 22, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  9. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade Brings Best of Chicago Together". WGN 9 Chicago. WGN. August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  10. ^ "David Kellum, The Legendary "Bud Billiken" died in Rush". UPI. March 21, 1981. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  11. ^ "Broadcast of The Bud Billiken Parade". ABC 7 Chicago. ABC Inc., WLS-TV Chicago. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Bud Billiken Pulls The Crowd". Chicago Defender. August 9, 2015. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  13. ^ "ABC 7 Chicago Presents Live Broadcast Of The Bud Billiken Parade". ABC Inc., WLS-TV Chicago. 2006. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  14. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade". City of Chicago. 2007. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  15. ^ "Historic Events/Bud Billiken Parade". Aaregistry. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Bud Billiken Parade was a joyous back-to-school celebration". TimeOut. August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  17. ^ "Billiken Parade Celebrates Youth, Education". ABC 7 Chicago. August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  18. ^ Scott, Eugene F. "From the Colonel". Bud Billiken Parade. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Bud Billiken Parade". 8th Infantry Illinois National Guard Association. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Pierre, Robert E. (August 12, 2002). "What's In A Name? More Than A Parade". The Washington Post. Jesse Jackson, Jr. for Congress. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  21. ^ "Truman Leads Bud Billiken Day Marchers". Chicago Tribune. August 12, 1956. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  22. ^ Ganz, Cheryl (January 6, 2012). The 1933 Chicago World's Fair : a century of progress (First Illinois paperback ed.). Urbana. ISBN 978-0-252-07852-1. OCLC 870891286.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  23. ^ Johnson, Dirk (May 26, 2009). "Historical Trove, Freed From Storage, Gets a Home". The New York Times. p. A12. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  24. ^ a b "ABC7's broadcast of the Bud Billiken Parade". WLS-TV. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  25. ^ Le Mignot, Suzanne (August 9, 2008). "Actor And Comedian Bernie Mac Dies At Age 50". CBS2Chicago. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
  26. ^ Tracy Baim (September 1, 2008). Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community. Surrey Books. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-57284-100-0.
  27. ^ Ball, Carlos A. (2010). From the Closet to the Courtroom: Five LGBT Rights Lawsuits that Have Changed Our Nation. Boston, Mass: Beacon Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780807001530.
  28. ^ Yin, Alice (August 14, 2021). "After 2020 cancellation, scaled-down Bud Billiken Parade returns to South Side for 92nd year: 'It's tradition'". chicagotribune.com. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  29. ^ "Bud Billiken 78th Annual Parade and Picnic (Best of Parade)". Chicago Defender Charities, Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  30. ^ "(Chicago, Illinois) Things To Do - Bud Billiken Parade". TimeOut. July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Bud Billiken Parade". University of Chicago Medical Center. 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  32. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade 'Like A Big Homecoming' To Grand Marshal Chaka Khan". CBS Chicago. August 9, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  33. ^ Gibbs, Adrienne Samuels (July 22, 2016). "From Grand Hustle to Grand Marshal: T.I. Takes Chicago". EBONY. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  34. ^ Bud Billiken Parade. History of Black Chicago. 1979. ISBN 9781109062014. Retrieved November 7, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  35. ^ The Daily Bulletin, Parade To Honor Returning GI's In Chicago, August 7, 1945.Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  36. ^ Chicago Tribune, Billiken Club Will Hold 20th Annual Parade, July 13, 1949
  37. ^ Chicago Tribune, Youth to Tell It's Achievement On Billiken Day, July 22, 1951.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  38. ^ The Black Dispatch, Billiken Parade-Picnic to Observe 25th Anniversary, July 17, 1954.Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  39. ^ Chicago Tribune, 600,000 View Billiken Parade, August 10, 1958.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  40. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bud Billiken Parade Set For Saturday, July 30, 1959.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  41. ^ Chicago Tribune, Billiken Parade Star: World Champ, August 6, 1960.Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Palladium-Item, 400,000 Negros See Chicago Parade In Honor Of Mythical Bud Billiken, August 13, 1967.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  43. ^ Chicago Tribune, Parade Honoring Bud Billiken Viewed By 300,000 on S. Side, August 11, 1968.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  44. ^ Chicago Tribune, Black 'Saint' To Celebrate Birthday, August 2, 1970.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  45. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bud Billiken Parade Set For Saturday, August 6, 1970.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  46. ^ Chicago Tribune, 42nd Annual Bud Billiken Parade To Be Held, August 12, 1971.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  47. ^ Chicago Tribune, 48th Annual Bud Billiken Set for Saturday, August 11, 1977.Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  48. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bud Billiken Parade Ready To Step Off For 55th Time, August 10, 1984.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  49. ^ The Lake Geneva Regional News, August 6, 1987.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  50. ^ Vidette-Messenger of Porter County, August 13, 1988.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  51. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bud's salute to the children, August 11, 1989.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  52. ^ Chicago Tribune, August 4, 1991.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  53. ^ Chicago Tribune, August 2, 1992.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  54. ^ Martinez, Michael (August 13, 1993). "Year's Parade African-American Route". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  55. ^ Chicago Tribune, August 12, 1994.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  56. ^ Morales, Carlos (August 6, 1995). "A Million Chicagoans Can't Be Wrong, It's Bud Billiken Parade Time Again". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  57. ^ Johnson, Allan (August 10, 1996). "African-American Kids Massive Picnic". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  58. ^ Ilo, Merita (August 9, 1997). "King And Queen Of Bud Billiken Parade Get Royal Treatment". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  59. ^ Suparno, Riyadi (August 13, 1999). "Big Business To Join Billiken Parade". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  60. ^ Chicago Tribune, Celebrate The 71st Annual Bud Billiken Parade And Picnic, August 11, 2000.Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  61. ^ Warner, Brenda (August 11, 2001). "Bud Billiken parade ready to roll today/ 'We Are Family' theme will be used to promote going back to school". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  62. ^ Robinson, Regina (August 13, 2004). "Bud Billiken Day Parade". Chicago Tribune.
  63. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade: 2009". Chicago.About. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  64. ^ "'2010 Bud Billiken Parade". Chicago Radio & Media. July 26, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  65. ^ "'2011 Bud Billiken Parade". Chicago Radio & Media. July 28, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  66. ^ "'2012 Bud Billiken Parade". Chicago Radio & Media. July 22, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  67. ^ Sponsor Chicago: Bud Billiken ParadeArchived August 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  68. ^ "85th Annual Bud Billiken Day Parade". ABC 7 Chicago. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  69. ^ "BROADCAST OF THE BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE". ABC 7 Chicago. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  70. ^ "BUD BILLIKEN PARADE 2016". ABC 7 Chicago. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  71. ^ "Chicago Defender - The 88th Annual Bud Billiken Parade Celebrates Generations - August 9, 2017". Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  72. ^ Hyde Park Herald - 88th Annual Bud Billiken Parade Returns Saturday - August 8, 2017[permanent dead link‍]
  73. ^ Edwards, Lee (August 10, 2018). "Bud Billiken Parade Kicks Off At 10 AM Saturday; Rapper Vic Mensa And Actor Deon Cole Are Grand Marshals". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  74. ^ Fazio, Marie (August 9, 2019). "Bud Billiken Parade celebrates 90 years this weekend". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  75. ^ ABC 7 Chicago, BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Looking back on the history of the Bud Billiken Parade, By Cheryl Burton and Marissa N. Isang, Friday, February 22, 2019.Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  76. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bud Billiken Parade 2021: A modified route and free COVID-19 vaccinations are new additions to the 92-year-old Chicago tradition, August 12, 2021
  77. ^ Chicago Tribune, As healing from the Highland Park parade shootings continues, the 93rd annual Bud Billiken Parade is set to launch Aug. 13., August 3, 2022
  78. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade 2023: Oldest African-American parade in US steps off Saturday". ABC 7 Chicago. August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  79. ^ "WGN-TV drops Bud Billiken parade". TDog Media. August 8, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  80. ^ "Bud Billiken Parade Premiere". BET.COM. September 7, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  81. ^ Bud Billiken parade canceled for first time in 91-year history, The largest African American parade in the United States, this year’s event was set for Aug. 8. A one-hour television special will be broadcast on that date to celebrate the history and spirit of the annual tradition., By Miriam Di Nunzio and Evan F. Moore Updated Jun 29, 2020, 7:14pm CDT
  82. ^ 2020 CBS 2 Chicago, Bud Billiken Parade, A Back-To-School Tradition In Chicago, Canceled, June 30, 2020
  83. ^ URGENT, Bud Billiken Parade, a longtime Chicago tradition, canceled, Associated Press Jun 30, 2020, Updated Jul 1, 2020
  84. ^ COMMUNITY & EVENTS, ABC 7 Chicago presents Bud Billiken: Celebrating 91 years special, Mayor Lightfoot, Chance the Rapper to give celebrity shout outs, By ABC 7 Chicago Digital Team, Friday, July 31, 2020 6:53AM
  85. ^ "77th Annual Bud Billiken Parade". UnRated. 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  86. ^ a b Kishter, Lindsay (August 11, 2007). "Bud Billiken parade floats Olympic dreams". Chicago Tribune. Topix LLC. Retrieved September 21, 2007. [dead link‍]
  87. ^ "Tha Pope & Pretty Ricky". YouTube, LLC. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  88. ^ Tribune, Chicago (August 8, 2003). "B2K to perform at Billiken Parade". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  89. ^ Hope, Leah (August 11, 2003). "Concert chaos raises questions of crowd safety". ABC Inc., WLS-TV Chicago. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  90. ^ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. August 28, 2006.
  91. ^ Martinez, Mai; et al. (August 11, 2007). "Bud Billiken Parade Draws Nearly 1 Million People". CBS Broadcasting. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
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