1929: The first Bud Billiken Parade was hosted by Chicago Defender founder Robert Sengstacke Abbott as a way to thank the children who hawked his newspaper. He could think of no better way than to give them the things they loved: ice cream, hot dogs and a day outdoors.

The country's largest African American parade will return to Bronzeville this weekend, drawing crowds to celebrate the beginning of the school year.

Since the summer of 1929, it's been a family tradition on the South Side. The Bud Billiken Parade draws thousands every year to help kick off the upcoming school year.