CHICAGO — The annual Bid Billiken Parade drew tens of thousands of fans, marchers, entertainers and a few politicians to the South Side Saturday, an event energized by soaring rap star Chance the Rapper as grand marshal.
Chance, a native South Sider, handed out backpacks and held a free evening concert at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, after the parade from Oakwood Boulevard and King Drive to Washington Park.
Here's a few of the sights and sounds from Saturday's fun:
#BudBillikenParade grand marshal @chancetherapper 👑 pic.twitter.com/jeGjnSzL3m
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) August 12, 2017
The @JWTumblers never disappoint. #BudBillikenParade pic.twitter.com/tZiN5aprGX
— rah-mel (@itsRamel) August 12, 2017
Greeting paradegoers at the 88th annual #BudBillikenParade! pic.twitter.com/7jiQhDLfi1
— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) August 12, 2017
.@danielbiss brought a drum line to #BudBillikenParade pic.twitter.com/na3gaG2I6e
— Hercules Mulligan (@johnvmoore) August 12, 2017
Getting reading to step off for the Bud Billiken Parade, Rich East Marching Band & Majorettes. Sam Hankins Director pic.twitter.com/zovET9nYPm
— REHS_BandsMajorettes (@RehsBands) August 13, 2017
The best dance troupe in the Bud Billiken Parade. pic.twitter.com/SK7d7Q83FF
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) August 12, 2017