Bud Billiken Day originated in 1929, as the fulfillment of Chicago Defender founder Robert S. Abbott’s wish to organize a day of fun for the youth who sold his newspaper and Bud Billiken Club members. Click “Read more” to find out the history, dates
Parade date: August 13, 2011
Location: King Drive from Oakwood Boulevard to Washington Park
Objective: Give underprivileged children an opportunity to be in the limelight
Parade History: Bud Billiken Day was originated in 1929, as the fulfillment of Chicago Defender founder Robert S. Abbott’s wish to organize a day of fun for the youth who sold his newspaper and Bud Billiken Club members. Today, Mr. Abbott’s wish has grown into the largest parade and picnic of its kind in the United States, with more than 50 million children and their families having viewed the Bud Billiken Day Parade since its inception. The parade is produced by the Chicago Defender Charities and has over 300 sponsors and participants. Festivities begin at 10am and end at approximately 4pm.
For more information about Chicago Defender Charities and the Bud Billiken Parade: visit the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic website.
King and Queen Contest
Children, age 8 to 12, from across the Chicago area are eligible to compete for the title of King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Lord and Lady. Contestants earn votes by submitting paid subscriptions to the Chicago Defender and writing an essay.
All contestants are rewarded handsomely for their efforts. In addition to riding in the parade on the royal float, the royal court participates in a week of activities in preparation for their “reign,” and a week of fun touring Chicago in royal style.
Find out what it takes to become a member of the Chicago Defender Charities Bud Billiken Day Parade Royal Court. For the 2011 King and Queen contest Rules and Regulations, click here.
Click here to view the 2010 Royal Court photo gallery Grand Prize Provider (click image to visit Walt Disney World website): 
The grand prize, received by the King and the Queen, is a five-day/four-night vacation for four people (including one parent or legal guardian of the grand prize winner) to WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort near Orlando, Florida. Each vacation includes roundtrip coach airfare for four people between the United States gateway airport closest to the winner’s residence and the Orlando International Airport, four roundtrip ground transfer vouchers between the Orlando International Airport and the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort, four nights of hotel accommodations (quad occupancy) in one standard room at a WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort hotel (at prize provider’s selection), four 5-day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper Option, and a Disney Gift Card valued at $250.
Items that are not included as part of the vacation are: meals, merchandise, souvenirs, telephone calls, tips, gratuities, service charges, taxes and all other charges not otherwise described above. The estimated retail value of each vacation is $5,289.68. Vacation rules include, but are not limited to: (1) vacation must be taken between August 15, 2011 and August 15, 2012 and requires a Saturday night stay-over, (2) departure dates and accommodations are subject to availability; certain restrictions and blockout dates may apply, (3) air travel is not eligible for frequent flyer program credit, (4) vacations and their components may not be sold, traded, transferred, rescheduled to dates not within the fulfillment period set forth above, or refunded, and (5) vacations are not redeemable for cash in whole or in part.
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