Bud Billiken Parade Celebrates Black Southside of Chicago
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Bud Billiken Parade Celebrates Black Southside of Chicago
Created in 1923, the inspirational character, Bud Billiken, symbolizes the Defender of Youth, social and political progress, and the historic development of the Southside of Chicago.
Nothing compares to the spectacular pageantry of a parade. The Bud Billiken Parade is a Southside of Chicago tradition marking the end of summer and the start of the new school year. I, along with my family and friends sat wide-eyed and open-mouthed as we watched the parade traverse down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive. I was too young to know much at all about the character for whom this parade is named. All I knew was the parade was coming to my neighborhood and it would be a community-wide celebration of black business, beauty, and culture.
Created in 1923, the inspirational character, Bud Billiken, symbolizes the Defender of Youth, social and political progress, and the historic development of the Southside of Chicago. It’s been 100 years of this amazing extravaganza.
This parade has to be experienced in person to get the full effect. No watching this on a television screen. My mother would send me off early in the day holding a brown snack bag usually filled with peanut butter and jelly crackers in one hand and the strong fingers of my older brother holding tightly to my other hand. We rushed to claim our seats on the concrete sidewalk to get a close and unobstructed view of the action.
I had experienced one day when I felt the contributions and significance of the black community were acknowledged and validated. During the sixties, this message was certainly needed. It still is.
We enthusiastically waited for the parade to begin along with the sea of black faces lining both sides of the street. I felt a sense of belonging and community pride as we all gathered together. This parade is like an open-air Broadway musical. I stood and strained my neck to see everything passing along the parade route. I waved at political figures as they waved at me from impressive-looking vehicles. I was delighted at the sight of the huge floats decorated with flowers of every color of the rainbow. I laughed at the unique sight of black clowns with curly wigs, red noses, and gaudy costumes. I wiggled in rhythm to the high school bands blasting rhythmic funky music to the sky. I gawked at the lovely black girls twirling flags or batons in high-heeled boots in step with each note from the band. I loved their carefully made-up faces, white teeth, and lipstick smiles. I know they instilled in me the truth that I, too, am beautiful and talented.
I am not sure how long the parade lasted but it was time well spent. I walked home down the confetti-covered streets with a big smile on my face and a pocket filled with penny candy that was generously tossed to the kids. I had experienced one day when I felt the contributions and significance of the black community were acknowledged and validated. During the sixties, this message was certainly needed. It still is.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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