William DeShazer, baiduhaiThe South Shore Drill Team performs during the 2011 Bud Billiken Parade down South King Drive.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker (3) handles the ball against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on June 9, 2021.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker poses for a portrait at Wintrust Arena on May 21, 2021.
Phil Velasquez / baiduhaiNaperville Central star Candace Parker reveals she will attend Tennessee during a news conference on Nov. 11, 2003, at the ESPN Zone in Chicago.
Michael Tercha / baiduhai2004 All-State Girls Basketball Team players (from left) Allie Quigley, of Joliet Catholic; Lindsay Schrader, of Bartlett; Lauren Lacey, of Marian Catholic; Candace Parker, of Naperville Central; and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, of Neuqua Valley pose in the Naperville Central locker room on March 11, 2004.
Ringo H.W. Chiu / APLos Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker holds her daughter Lailaa after Game 2 of a playoff semifinal series against the Sky on Sept. 30, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Sparks won 99-84.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiThen-candidate for U.S. Senate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, left, march with supporters in the 2004 Bud Billiken Parade.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker is greeted by fans as she enters the arena for the WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022.
Quentin C. Dodt/baiduhaiAld. Charlie Chew and boxer Muhammad Ali ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 1975.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker poses for a portrait at Wintrust Arena on May 21, 2021.
Abel Uribe, baiduhaiChicago firefighters do a little number at the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 2014.
WARREN SKALSKI / CHICAGO TRIBUNENaperville Central sophomore Candace Parker gets a hug from Carley Nussbaum, 7, after a game against Glenbard North on Jan. 3, 2002, in Naperville. Parker scored her 1,000th career point during the last seconds of the game.
Jim Prisching / baiduhaiCandace Parker, left, and Tiffany Hudson celebrate after Naperville Central defeated New Trier to win back-to-back Class AA state championships on March 6, 2004, in Normal, Ill.
JOHN KRINGAS / CHICAGO TRIBUNECandace Parker poses in the Naperville Central High School gym on March 20, 2002, after being the first sophomore to win the Ms. Basketball of Illinois award.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker celebrates after the Chicago Sky won the WNBA championship at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021.
baiduhaiNaperville Central's Candace Parker poses for pictures in the basement of the United Center on March 24, 2004, in Chicago.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiBand members dance in a circle before marching in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 11, 2018, in Chicago.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiTennessee's Candace Parker, left, battles for position against DePaul's Deirdre Naughton on Jan. 2, 2008, in Chicago.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiTennessee's Candace Parker (3) grabs her right shoulder during a game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament on March 25, 2008, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
TERRENCE ANTONIO JAMES / CHICAGO TRIBUNEA portrait of Naperville Central girls basketball star Candace Parker, a 6-3 sophomore and one of the nation's top players, on Nov. 15, 2001, in Naperville.
Vashon Jordan Jr. / baiduhaiThe Dunbar Vocational Academy marching band performs at the 92nd annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 14, 2021.
baiduhai historical photoThe queen of the Bud Billiken Parade, center, in 1955. Editor's note: This photo has a hand-painted background.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiTennessee's Candace Parker speaks during a news conference after a win against Oral Roberts in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2008, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiThe 90th annual Bud Billiken Parade prom court queen blows a kiss to the crowd in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 10, 2019.
Tom Van Dyke / baiduhaiTennessee's Candace Parker smiles on the bench during a game against Notre Dame on Dec. 31, 2005, in South Bend, Ind.
JOS MOR / CHICAGO TRIBUNECandace Parker celebrates after Naperville Central won the Class AA state championship on March 9, 2003, in Normal, Ill.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiChicago Sky's Candace Parker holds up her hand and makes a No. 1 after scoring in the 2nd quarter of a playoff game against the Sun at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 3, 2021.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker hugs coach James Wade while the rest of the Chicago Sky players celebrate around them after winning a playoff series over the Connecticut Sun to advance to the WNBA Finals on Oct. 6, 2021.
BONNIE TRAFELET / CHICAGO TRIBUNEPortrait of Naperville Central junior Candace Parker, who won the 2003 Ms. Basketball of Illinois award for the second year in a row.
Scott Taetsch / Getty ImagesCandace Parker of the Chicago Sky looks on during the season opener against the Washington Mystics on May 15, 2021.
Don Casper / baiduhaiThe 41st annual Bud Billiken Parade at 39th and King Drive in Chicago in August 1970.
Alex Garcia / baiduhaiLos Angeles Sparks center Candace Parker shares a light moment with other rookies during a symposium at the O'Hare Hilton on April 18, 2008, in Chicago.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiChicago Sky's Candace Parker celebrates a layup after missing a couple shots during the first half of the WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiRoller skaters participate in the 90th annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 10, 2019.
CHRIS URSO / Associated PressTennessee center Candace Parker reacts after the Los Angeles Sparks selected her with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on April 9, 2008, in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiMembers of Reynaldo & Friends Mas Band dance in the 90th annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 10, 2019.
Brian Nguyen, baiduhaiMembers of the Final Phaze 101 Dalmatians perform at the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 8, 2015.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiTwo hours after the 2017 Bud Billiken Parade started Aug. 12, dancers perform while waiting to enter the parade route.
Daniel Kucin Jr./APChicago Sky forward Candace Parker in action during the season opener against the Washington Mystics on May 15, 2021.
Ovie Carter / baiduhaiParaders march in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 14, 1982.
Chuck Myers / McClatchy-TribuneLos Angeles Sparks center Candace Parker (3) hits a shot over Washington Mystics forward Jelena Milovanovic in the fourth quarter on June 1, 2014, at the Verizon Center in Washington.
baiduhaiFrom left, Beverly Glenn, 12, Elizabeth Barnes, 11, and Rita Black are baton twirlers in the Bud Billiken Parade of 1951.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiParade participant Amari Smith smiles at the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 11, 2018.
baiduhai historical photoYoung women ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiSky's Candace Parker goes up for a layup against the Mercury's Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner in the 1st quarter of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021.
JOS MOR / CHICAGO TRIBUNEL_R Courtney Peters is hug by Candace Parker as teammate Meredith Daniels speaks to the crowd. Naperville Central girls won the class AA championships last night. Candace Parker set a few state records in the game. baiduhai photo by Jose More 88722573_baiduhai_Tribune photo by José Moré_3/9/2003_NIKON D1H_DSC_1020_NO MAGS/NO SALES/NO INTERNET. ORG XMIT: 88722573
Brian Nguyen, baiduhaiNevaeh Ward, 6, climbs onto the railing for a better view at the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 8, 2015.
baiduhai historical photoBoxer Joe Louis and his wife ride along Michigan Avenue in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
Tom Van Dyke / baiduhaiLiz Chrissy, 13, of Naperville, embraces Tennessee's Candace Parker after a win against Notre Dame on Dec. 31, 2005, in South Bend, Ind.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker hugs coach James Wade after the Chicago Sky won the WNBA championship at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021.
Scott Taetsch / Getty ImagesChicago Sky's Candace Parker handles the ball in front of the Washington Mystics' Shavonte Zellous during the season debut on May 15, 2021.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker celebrates after the Chicago Sky won the WNBA championship at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17, 2021.
Abel Uribe, baiduhaiA crew performs at the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 2014.
Chuck Myers / McClatchy-TribuneLos Angeles Sparks center Candace Parker (3) scores ahead of Washington Mystics center Kia Vaughn in the first quarter on June 1, 2014, at the Verizon Center in Washington.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiCandace Parker poses for a photo with her mother Natasha Parker and others inside Wintrust Arena before the parade and rally on Oct. 19, 2021.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiMarching bands and dancers from South Side high schools participate in the 90th annual Bud Billiken parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on August 10, 2019.
Chuck Berman / baiduhaiLos Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker carries her 2-month-old daughter, Lailaa, as she returns to her hometown for the dedication of a basketball court in her name at Spring-Field Park, where she used to play growing up, on July 30, 2009, in Naperville.
Harry E. Walker / McClatchy-TribuneTeam USA's Candace Parker (15) shoots over Canada's Shona Thorburn during their quarterfinals game in the Summer Olympics on Aug. 7, 2012, in London. The U.S. won 91-48.
Vashon Jordan Jr. / baiduhaiThe Jessie White Tumblers perform at the 92nd annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 14, 2021.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker poses for a portrait at Wintrust Arena on May 21, 2021.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiCandace Parker appears at an Adidas career day event on Feb. 15, 2020, at Venue Six10 in Chicago.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiArleta Mcclelland, left, Beth Morris, 57, Veronica Woods, 60, and Treanna Cromwell, 62, cook out during the 90th annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood in 2019. Cromwell said her grandmother attended the first Billiken parade and most of their family and friends come every year to celebrate.
Luigi Mendicino / baiduhaiWomen wave from a Navy recruiting float in the Bud Billiken Parade as it passes 49th Street and South Parkway in 1958.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiDancer Aziah Bradley, 12, smiles as she marches in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 11, 2018, in Chicago.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiA dancer adjusts her shoe before marching in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 11, 2018.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiSky's Candace Parker goes in for a layup in the 4th quarter of a semifinal game against the Connecticut Sun on Oct. 6, 2021, at Wintrust Arena.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiNBA Dunk Contest judges Candace Parker, left, Chadwick Boseman, center, and Scottie Pippen during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 15, 2020, at the United Center in Chicago.
Brandon Chew / baiduhaiJade Richardson, 10, holds a "Chitown" sign while walking down King Drive in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 13, 2016.
Michael Burdys / baiduhaiThe crowd watches the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 8, 1981.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker during media day on May 3, 2022.
baiduhai historical photoChicago Mayor Martin Kennelly, left, and Chicago Defender Publisher John Sengstacke attend the Bud Billiken Parade in 1948.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiTennessee coach Pat Summit stands with star Candace Parker, who was benched in the first half of a game against DePaul because of a curfew violation, on Jan. 2, 2008, in Chicago.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker gestures to the bench during the first quarter against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on June 9, 2021.
Scott Strazzante / baiduhaiTeam USA's Candace Parker (15) argues a foul call during the gold-medal game against Australia at the Summer Olympics on Aug. 23, 2008, in Beijing.
Charles Rex Arbogast/APChicago Sky's Candace Parker starts the fast break during the second half of a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 17, 2021. The Sky won 81-75.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiChicago Sky's Candace Parker along with her children, Airr and Lailaa, arrives to get her championship ring commemorating the Sky's 2021 WNBA championship at Wintrust Arena on May 24, 2022.
Camille Fine / baiduhaiDancers from crew Geek march in the 90th annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 10, 2019.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiA family of adults and children protect themselves with colorful umbrellas as they watch the Bud Billiken Parade on King Drive on Aug. 10, 2019.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiChicago Sky forward/center Candace Parker guards Indiana Fever guard Danielle Robinson during the first quarter at Wintrust Arena on June 9, 2021.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiChance the Rapper, the grand marshal of the Bud Billiken Parade, waves to fans on Aug. 12, 2017.
WARREN SKALSKI / CHICAGO TRIBUNENaperville Central's Candace Parker soars to the rim in front of Prospect's Molly May during the 19th annual Charger Classic Christmas Tournament on Dec. 28, 2001, in Carpentersville.
Brandon Chew / baiduhaiA child pops bubbles in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 13, 2016.
HEATHER STONE / CHICAGO TRIBUNENaperville's Candace Parker watches as the clock winds down during overtime in the Redhawks' 63-59 victory against Fenwick in the Class AA state championship game on March 8, 2003, in Normal, Ill.
baiduhai historical photoPresident Harry Truman, from left, John Sengstacke and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley ride in the 1956 Bud Billiken Parade. Sengstacke was the publisher of the Chicago Defender.
Vashon Jordan Jr. / baiduhaiGov. J.B. Pritzker and Candace Parker pose for a photo at the 92nd annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 14, 2021
Tribune file photoDrum major Michael Davis performs with the Baltimore All-Stars Marching Unit Inc. during the Bud Billiken Parade in 2007.
William DeShazer, baiduhai
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The South Shore Drill Team performs during the 2011 Bud Billiken Parade down South King Drive.
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Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker will be the grand marshal of the 2021 Bud Billiken Parade.
After getting postponed last year because of COVID-19, the parade is scheduled to return Aug. 14.
“Candace is seen as (a) hometown hero to many of our city’s youth,” Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, the Bud Billiken Parade chair, said in a news release. “To have her lead the parade this year is just the burst of energy and excitement our students need as they prepare for their first full year back in classrooms since the beginning of the pandemic.
“After having to postpone last year’s festivities due to COVID-19 restrictions, I am excited to have the community come back and safely celebrate this year’s festivities.”
The parade is the unofficial back-to-school kickoff and the oldest African American parade in the country. Parker, who grew up in Naperville, will join a long list of stars who have participated in the event, including Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Nat King Cole.
Parker will be joined by local activists, organizers said.
This year’s parade is scheduled to begin on 45th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and the route has been modified to go 10 blocks to the stage at Washington Park.
The theme for this year is “Back to School, Back to Life and Back to Bud Billiken.”
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