Bud Billiken Parade 2024: Chicago back-to-school tradition celebrates '95 Years of Legacy'
Largest African-American parade in US returns to South Side
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Crowds lined the streets on the city's South Side for the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday morning.
The annual Chicago tradition is the largest African-American parade in the United States spanning generations.
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Bud Billiken parade route kicked off at 39th, Martin Luther King Drive, and traveled through Washington Park.
Like in years past, hundreds of performers and floats were in the parade, including ABC7's float
The South Shore Drill Team returned to thrill the crowds as Chicago celebrated itself and marked the unofficial end to summer.
SEE ALSO | Chi-Town Cats Cheerleaders able to perform in Bud Billiken Parade again thanks to donations
The theme for this year was "95 Years of Legacy" with ABC7's Hosea Sanders receiving a special honor and serving as one of the honorary grand marshals. Actor, singer and Chicago native Jason Weaver served as the official 2024 Bud Billiken Parade grand marshal. Weaver is known for his performances in "The Chi," "ATL" and "Drumline."
Another honorary grand marshal, RhymeFest was on Windy City Weekend sharing his memories of the Bud.
"When I was 10 years old I got to stand on the sidelines and watch Mayor Harold Washington come down in the Bud Billiken and to me he was a hero in our home, he was a god in our home," said Rhymefest. "But then in 2017, I'm 27 and I got to see President Obama and his wife coming in the parade and then I was inspired to not just be an entertainer."
Attendee Donisha Brown was at the parade with her 3-month-old daughter Corrine.
"I've been coming since I was a baby, so I know I've got to bring it home for her too," Brown said.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was also was one of the honorary grand marshals, and so was Empire Dance Company CEO Latisha Waters.
"Being an honorary grand marshal is amazing," Waters said. "I love the kids. I love the youth."
The celebration continued after the parade in Washington Park with a back-to-school festival to help families prepare for the new school year.
The Chicago Defender Charities produces the Bud Billiken Parade and celebration, affectionately known as "The Bud."
RELATED: Looking back on the history of the Bud Billiken Parade
It was started back in 1924 by Chicago Defender founder Robert Sengstacke Abbott as a picnic for neighborhood kids who delivered his paper. The first parade came a few years later in 1929 and has grown into a celebration of the Black community.
"I'm excited," attendee Alice McKinnie said. "I do foster care, these are my two girls I brought. This is the first time they've been here. I didn't want to miss it."
This year, the Chicago Defender Charities is also giving away $100,000 in scholarships to students.
"Everyone coming together and being peaceful and stuff," attendee Jaden Dunninghal said.
WATCH PARADE: ABC7 Chicago to broadcast 2024 Bud Billiken Parade
ABC 7 Chicago featured a two-hour special broadcast of the parade. It was available live on ABC 7 and abc7chicago.com on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It also exclusively streamed live on ABC 7's Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
