Barack Obama at the Bud Billiken Parade

The presidential hopeful Barack Obama joins the Bud Billiken Parade as the Grand Marshal.

Barack Obama at the Bud Billiken Parade The Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama will take part in the "Bud Billiken Parade" in Chicago as the grand marshal, aiming to re-affirm the support of the black votes and his state. He was quoted calling the attendees at the parade "my crew".

Over 1 million people are expected to attend the Bud Billiken Parade, which makes it the largest African-American parade and the second largest in the country. This year will mark the 78th Annual Bud Billiken Day Parade, which was initially organized by the Chicago Defender founder Robert S. Abbott. He wanted to organize the young people who delivered his newspaper around the city and created a club named Bud Billiken. A section on his newspaper was dedicated to the club and featured young members each week.

Floats and decorated vehicles will be displayed along people with original costumes while the parade makes its way down Martin Luther King Drive from 39th Street to Washington Park.

Click here to watch the 2007 Bud Billiken Parade at the local ABC 7 Chicago website.

Published on 08/11/2007