The 95th Annual Bud Billiken Parade: A South Side Tradition

On Saturday, August 9, 2024, the Bud Billiken Parade turns 95. Held in the heart of Chicago’s South Side, it is the city’s great back-to-school gathering and a celebration of the Black community’s history, achievements, and future.

The Origin of Bud Billiken

The name "Bud Billiken" has a story behind it. Robert S. Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender, created Bud Billiken as a fictional character in the newspaper’s youth section — a figure who offered advice and encouragement to young African Americans. Over time, Bud Billiken became a beloved symbol of hope for Black youth in Chicago and beyond.

Here’s the part fewer people know: Bud Billiken was also the pen name of Willard Motley, a Black LGBTQ+ writer who contributed to the Chicago Defender. Motley, who went on to make his name as a novelist, used the Bud Billiken persona to reach young readers and encourage them through his writing. The parade has Black LGBTQ+ history in its roots — a legacy of inclusion that continues today.

Why the Bud Billiken Parade Matters

The Bud Billiken Parade is the largest African-American parade in the United States, drawing over a million spectators each year. For many Chicagoans, especially on the South Side, it is an annual act of unity, pride, and cultural expression — proof of the strength of Black Chicago.

Celebrating Youth and Education

Education sits at the center of the parade. Held just before the school year starts, it sends students back to class celebrated and encouraged. Local youth groups perform along the route — the Jesse White Tumblers, the South Shore Drill Team, dance teams from across the city — and Chicago gets to see what its young people can do.

A Platform for Cultural Expression

Since 1929, the parade has given African Americans a public stage to celebrate their heritage and achievements openly. For one Saturday, the streets of Bronzeville and Washington Park fill with music, dance, and joy.

The parade honors the past, but it isn’t a museum piece. It carries the community’s spirit forward, and its focus on youth and education backs the next generation with the tools and support they need to succeed.

It’s also a statement. In a city that has faced hard challenges, the Bud Billiken Parade shows what it looks like when a community comes together, celebrates what it has built, and keeps its eyes on what comes next.

Join the Celebration

We’ll be there for the 95th, and we’d love to see you. Long-time attendee or first-timer, you’ll find something for you — energetic performances, heartfelt speeches, and the spirit of Chicago’s Black community carrying the whole day.