Chicago Kicks Off St. Patrick’s Day with Iconic Green River Tradition

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Chicago dyes its river bright green as it opens St. Patrick's Day celebrations

The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in cheers as members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed dye into the water from boats, carrying on a tradition they began some 63 years ago. The dyeing immediately precedes the annual downtown St. Patrick's Day parade. The day — which falls on Monday this year — celebrates Irish culture. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is credited with having brought Christianity there in the fifth century.

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Chicago River dyeing: Watch a full time-lapse of the waters turning green for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations are officially here, with an iconic Chicago tradition kicking off festivities Saturday morning as the Chicago River was dyed green. Beginning shortly after 10 a.m., several boats transformed the waters of the Chicago River into a bright shamrock green, with the process taking around an hour to complete. The dyeing was done by Chicago's plumbers union using a secret, environmentally friendly dye.

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Chicago dyes its river bright green as it opens St. Patrick's Day...

The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in cheers as members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed dye into the water from boats, carrying on a tradition they began some 63 years ago. The dyeing immediately precedes the annual downtown St. Patrick's Day parade. The day - which falls on Monday this year - celebrates Irish culture. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is credited with having brought Christianity there in the fifth century.

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Chicago dyes its river bright green as it opens St. Patrick's Day celebrations
The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in
News Article Image
Chicago dyes its river bright green as it opens St. Patrick's Day celebrations
The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
News Article Image
St. Patrick's Day in Chicago: Here's what's happening this weekend
The tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day started in 1962. The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union has been behind the annual dyeing. Every year, they use 40 pounds of orange-red vegetable-based powder, which is non-toxic and safe for wildlife.
News Article Image
Chicago dyes its river bright green as it opens St. Patrick's Day celebrations
The dyeing immediately precedes the annual downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade. The day — which falls on Monday this year — celebrates Irish culture. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in cheers as members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed dye into the water.
News Article Image
Chicago River goes green for St. Patrick’s Day
The annual tradition has been carried out by Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 since 1962. The idea came when a plumber used an orange dye to detect pollution in the river and noticed it turned his overalls green. 40 pounds of the dye is spread by various boats as they make their way down the river.
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