If you are one of the few people in the city to miss the Bud Billiken Parade on August 12, then you also missed the Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) float with Ronald McDonald on it. The float with Ronald is a six-year tradition, and Ronald’s appearance brought enthusiastic cheers from the thousands of parents and children lining the streets.

Another component of the BMOA Bud Billiken Parade tradition is the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies. At the parade’s conclusion, BMOA joins parade goers in Washington Park where the parade transforms into a huge community picnic. The Black McDonald’s Operators empower Chicago land’s underserved youth, distributing the necessary items to take on the school year at full force, prepared for a successful school year.

BMOA Operators on Float3 — BLACK McDONALD’S OPERATORS greeted guests with smiles and waves along the Bud Billiken parade route. This marked the sixth year that BMOA has distributed backpacks filed with school supplies at the Bud Billiken Parade. More supplies will be distributed before Chicago Public Schools open, at parades on the West and South sides.

The BMOA began its distribution route during the 88th Bud Billiken Parade but they are not finished! BMOA owners, and Ronald McDonald himself, will continue

distributing school supplies through this Saturday, August 19, 2017 at various Chicago area community organizations, and at the Danny Davis Parade on the West side and the Englewood Parade on the South side.

Westside – Danny Davis Parade (Columbus Park)

500 S. Central

Parade kick-off time: 10:00 a.m.

Festival kick-off time: 12:00 p.m.

Southside – Englewood Parade (Ogden Park)

6500 S. Racine

Chicago, IL 60636

Parade kick off time: 8:00 a.m.

Festival kick-off time: 10:00 a.m.

School Supply Distribution 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.