(Photo By Flickr User City Year)

The Bud Billiken Back To School Parade is the second largest parade in the United States, It has grown into an institution with participation from across generations and across the country. 

According to budbillikenparade.org, fun facts about the Bud Billiken Back To School Parade are as follows:

Bud Billiken Back To School Parade Quick Facts–

Purpose:

Provide underprivileged children with the chance to be in the limelight

Producers:

Chicago Defender Charities, Inc.

Event date:

The second Saturday in August, occurring in 2014 on Saturday, August 9th.

Start time:

10am

Start point:

King Drive at Oakwood Blvd.

Route:

King Drive south from Oakwood Boulevard to 51st Street. Ellsworth Drive (in Washington Park) from 51st Street to Garfield Boulevard (55th St.).

End point:

Garfield Blvd. (55th St.) and Ellsworth Dr.

Street Closures:

King Dr., South bound lane from 33rd to 35th

King Dr., all lanes, 35th to 51st

Washington Park

Pershing Drive (39th St.) Cottage Grove to Indiana

Oakwood Blvd., (Cottage Grove to King Drive)

Vincennes (40th to Pershing Drive)

Activities following the parade:

Located in Washington Park southeast of 51st and King Dr. with picnics, entertainment, school supply giveaways and other treats.

TV coverage:

WLS-TV ABC Chicago- Live from 10am to 12:30pm

Parade founder:

Robert Sengstacke Abbott, also founder of the Chicago Defender

Year of the 1st parade:

1929

Who is Bud Billiken?:

It is an idea that was the brainchild of Robert Sengstacke Abbott to symbolize the best for children. It is named after the Billiken, the guardian angel of all children according to Chinese legend.

For more information on the Bud Billiken Parade, give them a call at (773) 536-3710 or go online to www.budbillikenparade.org.