CHICAGO – The 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade, a cherished South Aspect custom signaling the top of summer time, kicked off at midday Saturday in Bronzeville.
What we all know:
Dozens of floats and tens of hundreds of spectators stuffed the three-mile route alongside King Drive from fortieth to 53rd Streets in Washington Park regardless of the sweltering warmth. Among the many crowd have been politicians searching for help forward of upcoming elections, together with candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Dick Durbin.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and South Suburban Congresswoman Robin Kelly, each campaigning for the Democratic nomination, greeted parade-goers with handshakes alongside the route.
“I feel we’re gaining traction and assembly folks the place they need to meet and gaining help and we’ve a number of onerous work to do,” Krishnamoorthi mentioned.
However for a lot of attendees, like Terri Ransom, the parade stays a celebration of neighborhood, training, and the upcoming faculty 12 months. Ransom, celebrating her birthday on the occasion, camped out in Washington Park.
“It is about faculty, it is about training, it is about our neighborhood, it is about us coming collectively to finish the summer time however to return to high school and educate ourselves and make a greater world for everybody,” Ransom mentioned.
For Ransom, the parade is a multi-generational household custom. Her older brother Thomas Brady mentioned he’ll always remember the day his little sister was born. He discovered the information whereas attending the parade 63 years in the past.
“And he comes operating and says ‘Tommy! Tommy! The infant’s right here!’ and it was actually embarrassing as a result of I used to be solely ten years outdated on the time,” Brady mentioned.
Performances from teams just like the South Shore Drill Crew and the Chicago Youth Dance Coalition energized the group regardless of the warmth. Acquainted faces, together with native personalities Anita Blanton, Brian Jackson, and Tia Ewing, additionally added to the festivities.
Because the parade ended and the streets cleared, attendees have been reminded that Chicago Public Colleges lessons begin Monday, August 18 — a transparent signal that summer time is winding down.
The Supply: This story accommodates reporting from Fox 32’s Paris Schutz.
