At 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade, Black Delight On Full Show

BRONZEVILLE — The Bud Billiken Parade ushered within the back-to-school season — and highlighted Chicago’s Black tradition — with its 96th version Saturday.

Cheerleaders, drill groups, dance firm and native excessive schoolers didn’t disappoint regardless of the summer time warmth, which reached neared 100 levels within the solar.

For a lot of Black Chicagoans, the Bud Billiken Parade means greater than an annual gathering of individuals, says Carlette Bracey, who has been coming to every parade since she was just a little woman greater than 50 years in the past. 

“This is sort of a Black vacation,” she stated. “This parade is understood everywhere in the world. It exhibits unity and the pleasure of Chicago. A Black pleasure of Chicago.” 

The Bud Billiken Parade touts itself as the biggest Black parade in the USA, in accordance with the Bud Billiken web site. Began in 1929, the parade references the “Bud Billiken” character created by the Chicago Defender newspaper and was organized to have a good time Black historical past and accomplishments. Held yearly in August, is has since come to represent the return of the varsity 12 months.

The parade was held alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from thirty ninth Road to fifty fifth Place at Washington Park. Households may take pleasure in a day of actions on the parade. Companies on the parade included free hairstyling, haircuts and well being screenings.

See extra pictures from this 12 months’s parade:

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