Bud Billiken Parade returns to South Side: ‘We are all here to have a good time’

Dancers perform at the Bud Billiken Parade Saturday morning in Bronzeville. The annual back-to-school gathering returned after last year’s parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Some groups along the Bronzeville parade route roped off their space out of an abundance of caution for COVID-19, which wiped out the annual back-to-school gathering last year.

The Bud Billiken Parade, a beloved end of summer and back-to-school tradition, returned to the South Side Saturday after one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of Black Chicagoans of all ages lined the shortened parade route through Bronzeville to watch the city’s youth put their talents on display. Performers included several South Side dance teams and high school bands.

Adults tried to beat the summer heat by lounging in lawn chairs under shady trees, umbrellas and tents, while children slurped their snow cones out of styrofoam cups.

Bubbles and puffs of Charcoal-scented smoke clouded the air, while the sound of drums and music echoed down the streets.

“For me, it’s just the music, the bands, the groove,” Stephanie Hill said as she bounced to the beat. “… [Some people] might be from 79th [street], they might be from 87th, from 51st — we don’t know each other. We all are here to have a good time. That’s what I like.”

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Residents gather Saturday in Bronzeville for the Bud Billiken Parade.

The Bud Billiken Parade, which is thought to be the oldest and largest African American parade in the nation, celebrated its 92nd year Saturday. It’s a must-attend event for many Black Chicagoans, who have passed the tradition down from generation to generation.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a baby, and I just keep the family tradition going,” Tiny Reed said. “This means a lot to me.”

While everyone rejoiced for the return of the parade after the pandemic canceled it last year, some people were disappointed in the city’s decision to shorten the route to just 10 blocks.

“They cut it 10 blocks, but they didn’t cut Lollapalooza,” Reed said. “They let it go for (four) damn days.”

Reed was among the groups who used paper streamers or string to rope off their space, out of an abundance of caution for the raging Delta variant. She said they staked out their spot at 5 a.m.

Sky forward Candace Parker was named the grand marshal of this year’s parade and festival. She joins a star-studded list of other grand marshals, which includes President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Chance the Rapper and Muhammad Ali.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

A dancer performs at the Bud Billiken Parade Saturday morning.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

The Bud Billiken Parade takes place Saturday morning.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

First Lady M.K. Pritzker, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton march in the Bud Billiken Parade Saturday morning.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks to residents Saturday at the Bud Billiken Parade.

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