Chicago-pedia: Events

Some call it “Chicago-ese,” or “Chicago-speak.” Whatever you call it, we’re capturing it here, in Chicago-pedia — highlighting our local terminology and linguistic quirks (sometimes with humor and obvious exaggeration).

SOUTH SIDE IRISH PARADE: Once the largest exhibition of public urination and intoxication in the world, it’s returned to its roots as a family-friendly parade on South Western Avenue between 103rd and 115th streets on or near St. Patrick’s Day.

THE BUD: Nickname for the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, the largest African American procession in the U.S. Held annually since 1929, the August event is widely seen as the end of summer vacation and the start of the school year for Chicago students. The route stretches two or so miles down Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive into Washington Park. Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Billie Holiday, Michael Jordan, Chance the Rapper and Duke Ellington are among the famous people who attended over the years. Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender, created a children’s section in the historic black newspaper bearing the name of a fictional editor, “Bud Billiken.” Abbott later co-founded the parade, which adopted the character’s name.

Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times