Chicago’s 86th annual Bud Billiken Parade highlights fun, education

Photo by Kymon Kyndred of Kyndred Studios

The Bud Billiken parade is the oldest and largest African American parade in the United States. It’s always held on the second Saturday in August, and signals the end of summer and ushers in a new school year. The Bud Billiken parade was created by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, the founder of the Chicago Defender and has always focused on the youth having fun and the importance of education. It is an opportunity to get together for an amazing gathering of friends and family in peace and in a spirit of love. The children are out in full force dancing, singing, flipping cheering and enjoying life, and, of course, the politicians are out politicking. This is Chicago, so it’s only right that politics are involved.

Photo by Kymon Kyndred of Kyndred Studios

With the threat of a possible teacher strike looming, the parade serves as an opportunity to remind us that the children are what’s important. Budget crunches, pension shortages and contract disputes do not trump the education of our children. The discussions will continue between the school board and the city for sure, however, on the second Saturday of August every year in Chicago the city has a meeting with Bud Billiken and it all about family, fun and education.

Check out some of the pics in the slide show below.