{"id":135415,"date":"2025-08-10T22:26:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T22:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/135415\/"},"modified":"2025-08-10T22:26:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T22:26:16","slug":"at-96th-annual-bud-billiken-parade-black-pride-on-full-display","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/135415\/","title":{"rendered":"At 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade, Black Pride On Full Display"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>BRONZEVILLE \u2014 The Bud Billiken Parade ushered in the back-to-school season \u2014 and highlighted Chicago\u2019s Black culture \u2014 with its 96th edition Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Cheerleaders, drill teams, dance company and local high schoolers didn\u2019t disappoint despite the summer heat, which reached neared 100 degrees in the sun.<\/p>\n<p>For many Black Chicagoans, the Bud Billiken Parade means more than an annual gathering of people, says Carlette Bracey, who has been coming to each parade since she was a little girl more than 50 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is like a Black holiday,\u201d she said. \u201cThis parade is known all over the world. It shows unity and the pride of Chicago. A Black pride of Chicago.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Bud Billiken Parade touts itself as the largest Black parade in the United States, according to the Bud Billiken website. Started in 1929, the parade references the \u201cBud Billiken\u201d character created by the Chicago Defender newspaper and was organized to celebrate Black history and accomplishments. Held annually in August, is has since come to symbolize the return of the school year. <\/p>\n<p>The parade was held along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from 39th Street to 55th Place at Washington Park. Families could enjoy a day of activities at the parade. Services at the parade included free hairstyling, haircuts and health screenings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See more photos from this year\u2019s parade<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-20-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909910\"  \/>Cheerleaders preform during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-14-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909894\"  \/>Members of The Royal Court of The Bud Billiken Parade, Chicago Defender Charities Inc., wave to the crowd during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade\u2013the largest Black parade in the country. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-06-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909916\"  \/>Young Chicagoans observer the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Martin Luther King Jr., Drive. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-19-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909912\"  \/>A women parades on top of a car during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-22-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909902\"  \/>Members of the MCM Dance Company, dressed as characters on \u201cThe Simpsons,\u201d prepare to march during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-24-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909907\"  \/>Members of the Englewood Stem High School marching band prepare to preform during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-17-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909917\"  \/>Young Chicagoans play with bubble machines the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Martin Luther King Jr., Drive. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-13-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909899\"  \/>A member of the Bud Billiken preforming art league dances during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-29-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909915\"  \/>Bud preforms dance in sync during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-26-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909913\"  \/>Chicagoans pose for a photograph on the Martin Luther King Jr., Drive during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-07-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909900\"  \/>The 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-10-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909896\"  \/>A performer rests from the heat during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-16-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909904\"  \/>Members of the Black Fire Brigade pose for a photograph during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-09-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909918\"  \/>Dreadhead Cowboy during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bud-Billiken-Parade-Hidalgo-27-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-909901\"  \/>Andre \u201cSuperman\u201d Williams makes his way to the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on a makeshift hoverboard on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebasti\u00e1n Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago<\/p>\n<p><strong>Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"BRONZEVILLE \u2014 The Bud Billiken Parade ushered in the back-to-school season \u2014 and highlighted Chicago\u2019s Black culture \u2014&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":135416,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[78061,960,5386,1818],"class_list":{"0":"post-135415","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-bud-billiken-parade","9":"tag-chicago","10":"tag-il","11":"tag-illinois"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/135416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}