Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Chicago Rivers Turns Green

On March 17th every year, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world to honor Irish culture. In Chicago, the tradition includes dyeing the Chicago River bright green, a spectacle that draws crowds from near and far. According to the Associated Press, thousands of people gathered along the riverbanks and bridges last Saturday, March 15th, to witness members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union spraying dye into the river from boats, eliciting cheers from the spectators.

Since 1962, local plumbers have been using green dye to trace pollutants in the water and check for leaks in the pipes. What started as a practical measure has now turned into a beloved tradition to mark St. Patrick’s Day, continuing for 63 years. The dye used is non-toxic and can keep the river bright for several hours, with traces sometimes lingering for a few days before fading away.

St. Patrick’s Day is a prominent Irish holiday celebrated globally. Following tradition, people across North America don green attire and accessories on this day, partake in parades, and engage in various forms of entertainment to commemorate Saint Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Residents of Chicago, like Kate Liebelt, adorned in green wigs and with her dog, joined 9-year-old neighbor Glayden McQuade at the riverfront to be part of the dyeing event. Liebelt told the Chicago Tribune that she never misses this festive occasion, considering dyeing the river green as one of the happiest and most fun days in the city. She highlighted how it brings the community together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the arrival of spring.

Local resident Tom Keegan, of Irish descent, emphasized the significance of the day for him and his family due to their Irish heritage, describing it as a grand festival. After the plumbers spent about 45 minutes dyeing the Chicago River green, thousands of residents and tourists flocked to Grant Park to witness the St. Patrick’s Day parade held in the city center.

This year marked the 70th edition of the half-mile long parade, with Chicago Police Department members playing bagpipes and drums around 12:15 pm to kick off the procession. Alongside military bands, the parade featured high school bands, Irish dance troupes, a group of American miniature horses, and thousands of union members and their families.

Political figures from the area also made an appearance at the parade. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker greeted the crowds lining Columbus Drive. Residents like Justin McCarty from Springfield, Missouri, attended the event with his family, expressing awe at the scale of the parade compared to their local celebrations in Springfield.

Sporting head-to-toe green attire, including a stylish green hat, McCarty, who is also a plumber, described participating in the parade as a way to show solidarity with fellow union marchers, calling it a display of “brotherhood.” The festivities provided a platform for locals and visitors alike to come together in a joyous celebration of Irish culture and heritage.