Get out there and play
Celebrate our city’s history in a way Chicagoans are proud of—with a parade. In honor of the summer’s impending end, as well as black history, enjoy floats, marching bands and the inspirational message of the Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic Saturday.
The parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. from Oakwood Boulevard (39th Street) and travels along Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to Washington Park, is the largest African American parade in the country and is named after the fictional character believed to be the protector of children. The event was created in 1929 by Robert S. Abbott, the founder of the Chicago Defender, to honor the young people who sold his paper. This year’s grand marshal is Jennifer Hudson.
The 79th Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic will also air on ABC Channel 7. For more information, call (773) 536-3710 or visit budbillikenparade.com.
Get out there and play some more
If your family hasn’t been able to take a trip this summer due to the tight economy and high gas prices, gather together and head across the border to South Haven, Mich., for the National Blueberry Festival this Thursday through Sunday. With pie-eating contests, a parade and all things blueberries, your family may feel like they’re turning into the round purple fruit, but we’re certain they won’t be feeling blue.
Friday is Kids’ Day, which features activities with the local children’s museum, the Kids Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2 p.m. and a fish boil at 4 p.m. Saturday hosts the blueberry parade at 1:30 p.m. There is live entertainment all weekend.
If your tummy is grumbling, grab a piece of blueberry pie or pick up a few freshly picked blueberries to take home with you. You can even buy a blueberry shrub to grow your own.
For more information on the National Blueberry Festival, visit blueberryfestival.com.
Piece of the prize
This week three lucky Chicago Parent readers will be ready to send their tykes back to school with a custom Back to School combo from Mabel’s Labels. Winners will be able to pick out the color and icon to be printed with their child’s name. For more information, visit mabel.ca. To win, visit our discussion board.
