Latest news with #BudBilliken
CBS News
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
96th Chicago Bud Billiken Parade takes over Bronzeville Saturday
The Bud Billiken Parade, a Chicago tradition that gets families excited for the new school year, will be taking over the South Side on Saturday. Thousands of people are expected in the Bronzeville neighborhood to take part in the festivities, including music, dancing, and food. The parade that began in the summer of 1929 continues to embody Chicago's Black History and works to empower youth, especially on the South Side. This summer, it celebrates 96 years. It goes back to the early 1900s when the Billiken was actually a charm doll that represented good luck and fortune, and was also seen as the guardian of children. It got attached to Buddy, or Bud, which became the mascot. It's one of the biggest and oldest African American parades in the United States, and always an indication that the start of the school year is around the corner. Chicago Public Schools students will go back to school on Aug. 18. The Office of Emergency Management, along with the Chicago police and the fire departments, is coordinating on-site public safety resources. The parade steps off at Oakwood and King Drive at 10 a.m. Audrina Sinclair, Jermont Terry, and Joe Donlon will also host a CBS News Chicago Bud Billiken special on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Axios
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago's South Side is back
Grab your lawn chairs. The back-to-school festival returns Saturday. Why it matters: For more than 90 years, the Bud Billiken Parade has been a Chicago tradition that has drawn massive crowds to celebrate Black culture, art, music and history just before the start of the academic year. What to expect: It's the largest African American parade in the U.S. and features marching bands, dancers, floats, live music and more. Flashback: The parade was established in 1929 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the African American newspaper The Chicago Defender. The name Bud Billiken originated from the newspaper's youth page, "Defender Junior," which then transformed into a club and mascot, "Bud the Billiken," which was said to serve as a protector of children. State of play: The very first parade honored the young newsboys who sold the newspaper. Since then, public figures, community leaders and entertainers like former President Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Nat King Cole, Oprah and many others have taken part in the celebration. If you go: The festival is 10am-4pm Saturday starts at 35th and King Dr. and ends at 55th Street.
Chicago Tribune
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
What to do in Chicago: Bud Billiken Parade, a fest for Beatles fans and Northalsted Market Days
Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend. Touted as the largest Black parade, the 96th annual Bud Billiken Parade will march through Bronzeville this weekend. Led by this year's grand marshal, 'Chicago P.D.' star and Harvey native LaRoyce Hawkins, the two-mile parade features more than 200 bands, dance teams and performers from across the country. After the parade, check out the It Takes a Village Back to School Festival in Washington Park, featuring free hairstyling, health screenings and live performances. Bud Billiken events support $25,000 in scholarships and thousands of free school wrap up summer without another Northalsted party. Entertainment spans across four stages, more than 250 vendors line the streets and, of course, there's food, drink and 20 years on the scene — no longer Young — the Georgia trap star rolls into the Chicago Theatre with a live performance of his debut album. Backed by the Color of Noize Orchestra and DJ Drama, Jeezy will play 'Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101.' It's the album that put him — and hit song 'Soul Survivor' — on the beloved Chicago band plays two sets with an intermission at The Salt Shed. As you'd expect, it's long sold out … but where there's a Wilco, there's a way? You could also consider grabbing tickets to Jeff Tweedy's solo show on Sept. 7 at Gallagher Way or his full band show with Macie Stewart on Nov. 1 back at The Salt comedy? You've got plenty to see this weekend. Kerryn Feehan and Dwayne Kennedy top the lineup at this weekend's Windy City Comedy Fest. Dozens of comics from Chicago and beyond will perform at a series of showcases across the city, culminating in an installment of Roast Battle Chicago at the Den Theatre on Aug. authors and celebrate Black literature at the Soulful Chicago Book Fair. Music, storytelling, poetry and more will be on offer. Bring the whole family: Children's books are part of the you always wished you could visit a Beatles Ashram? Now's your chance. You just have to go to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. You'll be surrounded by fellow Beatlemaniacs and have the opportunity to hear from the likes of producer Peter Asher, The Yardbirds' Jim McCarty, Bad Company's Simon Kirke and tour manager and 'Miss O'Dell' inspiration Chris O'Dell. (Or, as the fest's website states, 'Worked at Apple, was at Rooftop Concert.') WXRT's Terri Hemmert serves as master of ceremonies, as she has since you have a giant TV, but nothing compares to the big-ness of experiencing a 70mm film in the theater. See for yourself through Aug. 21 as the Music Box Theatre has put together a lineup of films deserving of the format's grandeur. There's something here for nearly every moviegoer. Yes, 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Cleopatra,' but also Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners.' Rounding out the lineup: 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,' 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' 'Dunkirk,' '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Dark Crystal.'Looking for a messy challenge? Women of all ages and fitness levels are invited to participate in MudGirl Run, a three-mile course featuring 17 obstacles and a whole lot of mud. It promises a day of empowerment and aims to raise money for the Pink Army Foundation, a charity supporting breast cancer summertime! Specifically, the Summer of Sue, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Field Museum's beloved T. rex. So skip work and head down to Museum Campus. The Field offers free basic admission to Illinois residents every Wednesday this month. Be sure to bring proof of residency.
