The 92nd annual Bud Billiken® Parade, will be held on Saturday, August 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with Candace Parker of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Joining Parker for the festivities will be honorary Grand Marshals: rapper, actress and social media influencer, Nia Kay; author/media personality, Bevy Smith; and creator of Black People Eats, Jeremy Joyce. Additional dignitaries include honorary hometown heroes: award-winning gospel artist, Jonathan McReynolds; Netflix ‘Beats’ actor, Khalil Everage; and activist, Englewood Barbie; honorary parade health dignitary, McKinley Nelson; and honorary parade dignitaries: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congressman Bobby Rush, and Congressman Danny Davis. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will also participate in parade festivities.
Organizers for the 2021 Bud Billiken® Parade and Festival will provide vaccines, vaccine education and rapid COVID-19 testing at the event while instituting rules and requirements for entry onto festival grounds.
Festival in Washington Park Entry Requirements and Vaccine Sites
- For festival: Adults should be vaccinated and/or show proof of a negative Covid-19 test; and are required to wear a mask and social distance, whenever possible
- Chicago Department of Public Health will be signing people up for at home vaccinations with $25 gift certificates; Cook County Health Walgreens are also providing vaccinations and other immunizations located at the festival in Washington Park.
- Mobile VAX and Illinois Needles will provide rapid COVID-19 testing, vaccine education, booster shots and vaccination on the west side of 47th and King Drive.
“We have a responsibility to use the platform of the Bud Billiken Parade to educate families on the importance of vaccinations,” says Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, president/CEO of the Chicago Defender Charities and Bud Billiken® Parade Chair. “Safety is always our priority for the parade, and we believe that we can have a great parade for our community while following local and state protocols “
For more information about the Bud Billiken® Parade, visit www.budbillikenparade.org. Also check out the Bud Billiken® Parade social handles to stay up-to date on all parade and festival news: Facebook: @BudBillikenParadeChicago; Twitter: @BudParade; Instagram: budbillikenparade
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