Overview of Royal Court
Bud Billiken® Day Parade’s Royal Court first appeared in 1949. The contest targets children of African-American descent residing in and around the city of Chicago between the ages of 11-13yrs. Education is a focal point of the contest as academic essays are required for consideration. The chosen King and Queen are thought to represent all children and preside over “Bud Billiken® Land …where things are as they ought to be.” Children of the Royal Court must uphold the integrity and esteem that reflect the core values of Bud Billiken.
To participate, children must register and submit essays along with a 2 or 3 minute video according to contest guidelines. After each essay is carefully read and considered, Chicago Defender® Charities crowns the boy and girl receiving the highest number of essay points. The boy and girl receiving the highest number of points will be named King and Queen. The boy and girl receiving the second highest number of points will be named Crown Prince and Crown Princess and the boy and girl receiving the third highest number of points will be named Prince and Princess of the Royal Court.
GUIDELINES
This year The Royal Court titles are:
King & Queen
Crown Prince & Crown Princess
Prince & Princess of the Royal Court
The Chicago Defender Charities® Bud Billiken® Parade King & Queen Contest is open to children of African American descent.
Contestants must be at least 11 years of age at the time of registration and no more than 13 years of age on August 10, 2024.
A parent or guardian must consent to contestant’s participation and provide an original birth certificate or other government issued document as proof of age.
Contestants must live in the Chicago metropolitan area, which is defined as the city of Chicago and contiguous communities within a fifty (50) mile radius of the city center.
Contestants must be available to attend the Royal Court Coronation on Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 3PM-7PM
Contestants must be available to attend the Royal Court Week of Fun everyday from Sunday, August 4th - Saturday, August 10th
As of 2024, members of the families of the Chicago Defender Charities; their Directors, subsidiaries, distributors, advertising agencies may not compete in this contest.
To be eligible for any prizes, contestants must be registered and submit an essay that meets the guidelines.
Registered contestants compete for a position in the 2024 Bud Billiken® Parade by submitting a 2 or 3 minute video and 1 page essay on the topic “What are three qualities of a good leader and why are these qualities important?” to the Chicago Defender Charities® according to the guidelines found in the Contestant Registration Package.
The Chicago Defender® Charities crowns the boy and girl receiving the highest number of essay points. The boy and girl receiving the highest number of points will be named King and Queen. The boy and girl receiving the second highest number of points will be named Crown Prince and Crown Princess and the boy and girl receiving the third highest number of points will be named Prince and Princess of the Royal Court.
Contestants agree to allow the Chicago Defender Charities® to use their names and pictures for publicity purposes with no monetary redemptive value.
Applications are now closed!