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96th Bud Billiken Parade Unites Chicago’s South Side in Back-to-School Festivities

LaRoyce Hawkins led thousands of marchers through Bronzeville to Washington Park in a final celebration before classes resume on Aug. 18.

CHICAGO, USA – AUGUST 11:A team performs at the “Bud Billiken Parade” at Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago, United States on August 11, 2018. “Bud Billiken Parade” is an annual parade held since 1929 in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, the largest African-American parade in the nation. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
The South Shore Drill Team performs during the 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • LaRoyce Hawkins served as grand marshal, leading the procession from the intersection of 39th Street and Martin Luther King Drive at 10 a.m.
  • Washington Park hosted the Bud Billiken Back-to-School Festival until 4 p.m., offering free haircuts, school supplies, performances and community resources.
  • ABC7 Chicago streamed the two-hour parade live across TV and digital platforms, extending access beyond on-site spectators.
  • The Office of Emergency Management alongside Chicago Police and Fire Departments coordinated on-site safety and logistical support for the event.
  • Since its 1929 inception to honor Chicago Defender newsboys, the parade has grown into the country’s largest African American cultural celebration.