President Barack Obama, who's used to running the free world, will get a chance to lead a Chicago institution this year.
Obama has been slated to act as Grand Marshal for the the 2012 Bud Billiken "Back to School" parade.
This marks Obama's second run as Grand Marshal of the long running South Side parade. In 2007, Senator Barack Obama led marshaled the parade. Obama's presence at the August 11 parade comes roughly three months before voters head to the polls to decide between him and presidential challenger Mitt Romney (R-Mass).
Whether it's political strategy or community support, Chicago politicos turn out in force each year for the Chicago parade. In 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel acted as parade's Grand Marshal.
Other presidents have marched, too. In 1956, President Harry S. Truman, Major Richard J. Daley and chairman editor of the Chicago Defender John H. Sengstacke rode in the parade.
The Bud is the nation's oldest African-American parade, attracting thousands of attendees each year. It kicks off in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood near 39th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive to 55th Street at Washington Park.
