Bud Billiken Parade: Largest African American parade in US returns to South Side

CHICAGO (WLS) — The social gathering continues Saturday night at Washington Park, hours after the 93rd Bud Billiken Parade wrapped up earlier within the day

Household and pals are collectively, grilling out and having fun with some music within the park.

The parade is all a part of a convention that is handed down from technology to technology, courting again to 1929.

Wanting again on the historical past of the Bud Billiken Parade

Bands march to the beat, rooster sizzles on the grill and rifles are expertly tossed within the air.

“This has been occurring for a few years, since I used to be a child,” mentioned parade attendee Shaneka Bowman.

The Bud Billiken Parade returned in all its glory, with 1000’s of individuals lining the route.

WATCH: Chicago Defender Charities joins ABC7 to debate the return of Bud Billiken Parade

Thomas Yancee mentioned his household has been coming to the parade for many years.

“I obtained out right here, like I mentioned, since 7 o’clock this morning they usually name us the rooster household,” he mentioned. “We obtained rooster wings, rooster legs, rooster breasts, rooster thighs.”

The two.5-mile-long celebration is the biggest African-American parade within the nation and celebrates the return of the college 12 months.

Artwork on theMART 2022 that includes Bud Billiken parade artists

It was scaled again final 12 months due to the pandemic.

“To get it again collectively, particularly for one thing like this, is gorgeous,” Yancey mentioned.

“To be outdoors is, like, actually good, like, to even be round,” Shaneka added.

The Bowman household loved watching the parade collectively

“I have been popping out right here when my children had been 6 years previous, now they’re 40,” mentioned Brenda Bowman.

Upholding custom is likely one of the essential causes folks have returned to this celebration on the South Aspect 12 months after 12 months.

Helicopters additionally hovered above as law enforcement officials patrolled the route under, with safety being a prime concern this 12 months following the Fourth of July mass taking pictures in Highland Park.

Nonetheless, the heightened measures did not hamper the parade’s vitality.

To me, it simply form of means bringing the group collectively to observe everybody dance, carry out and provides it their all,” mentioned parade attendee Jada Jones.

The parade’s theme this 12 months was Bud Billiken 365, which celebrates the significance of training day by day of the 12 months.