According to the story, the dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the Chicago River turned the water green, and the idea was born to dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. How the Chicago River dyeing on St. Patrick's Day was sparked by a longtime friendship The river dyeing tradition began in the 1960s. By NBC Chicago Staff • Published March 12, 2025 • Updated Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Loop, Saturday, March 16, 2024. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Share Get The tradition returns this year thanks to the Chicago group that has been dyeing the river green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day for decades By Grace Erwin • Published March 3, 2025 One of the most colorful Chicago traditions is on the horizon: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The legendary event, which dates back more than 60 years, takes place The history of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago goes back more than 175 years. Now a longstanding tradition, Chicago’s Irish parade was first held in 1843. The dyeing of the Chicago River was added in 1962, quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most famous events. RELATED STORY: Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade: Everything you need to know What's in the dye: Since 1962, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union has been the mastermind behind the emerald Irish step dancers participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Tens of thousands took advantage of record high temperatures and sunny weather to attend the According to a well-researched 2024 Block Club Chicago feature by Linze Rice, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago was held in 1843 and included citizens, a band and a military group of One of the city’s favorite traditions is the dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The dyeing always occurs the Saturday before the holiday (except when March 17 falls on For more than 60 years, the Windy City has been turning the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.It started in 1961, when Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the Chicago Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Loop, Saturday, March 16, 2024. As thousands head to downtown Chicago Saturday to watch the Chicago River be dyed green for St. Patrick's Day, many may be wondering what's exactly in the mysterious dye that gives the river its One of the most colorful Chicago traditions is on the horizon: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The legendary event, which dates back more than 60 years, takes place St. Patrick’s Day Boat Cruises. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Chicago Sport and Social Club aboard the Island Party Hut! Grab your green gear, round up your crew, and get ready for a shamrockin’ good time as we cruise the Chicago River in style on Saturday, March 15th, 2025. Option 1: St. Patrick’s Day River Dye Cruise. Time: 10:00 AM Residents will turn out in droves on Saturday to mark St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a dyed-green Chicago River and a parade, but will rain spoil the party? The annual events are attended by We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. It's fun to imagine there's a mystical connection between St. Patrick's Day and the Chicago River turning green every year in mid-March The Chicago River is about to get its annual St. Patrick’s Day dye job on Saturday. This decades-old tradition routinely attracts tens of thousands of revelers to the riverfront, but in recent years it’s also attracted criticism from environmentalists. Sure, the spectacle of a neon ribbon of Chicago typically goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day, and 2025 will likely be no exception. From the iconic river dyeing to a handful of parades scattered across the city, there’s no shortage Boats launched by the Journeyman Plumbers Union Local 130 dumped dye into the Chicago River Saturday morning – turning it a vibrant green. If there's an award for best St. Patrick's Day
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