Parade date: August 8, 2009
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 Mr. Abbott’s wish to organize a day of fun for youth who sold his newspaper and the club members. Today, Mr. Abbott’s wish has grown to the largest parade and picnic of its kind in the United States, with more than 50 million children and their families having participated since its inception. The parade is produced by The Defender Charities organization and has over 300 sponsors/participants, lasting from 10am to approximately 4pm.
For more information about Chicago Defender Charities: Visit the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic site
The boy and girl who earn the most points from submitting an essay and paid print subscriptions to the Chicago Defender will each win the grand prize in Chicago Defender's Bud Billiken King and Queen Contest.
The grand prize is a five-day/four-night trip for four people to WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort near Orlando, Florida. Each trip 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.
Deadline for the contest was Friday, July 10, 2009.
Download the form below to find out the history of the contest, 2009's winners and what it takes to become a member of the royal court.
