Free Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic – August 14

Robert S. Abbott, Chicago Defender’s newspaper founder, began the first FREE  Bud Billiken® Parade and Picnic in 1929 as a way to show his appreciation to the newspaper’s paper boys. The festivity is annually held on the second Saturday of August, and has developed into one the City’s premier Back-to-School event.  2010 marks Bud Billiken’s 81st year! With last year’s festivities seeing over 75,000 participants, 1.5 million people along the parade route and over 25 million watching in their homes around the country, this 81st year will undoubtedly be monumental!

The Grand Marshal for the 2010 Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic is Valarie Jarrett, Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama.

Apart from the many celebrities, stars of stage and screen, entertainers and elected officials, the real star participants of the Bud Billiken® Parade and Picnic are the hundreds of local and out of state bands, drill teams, dance teams, car clubs and the like. At the end of the parade’s route in Washington Park is the After Parade Activities.