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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. 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 Crowds watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago Chicago River Dyeing & St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15. Various locations Downtown The Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day means green will be seen all around the city — including the Chicago River. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to catch a parade or the river The water in the river will retain a green color for several days, including likely on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. The water retains a shade of green for a while after the initial dyeing 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 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 Chicago River Dyeing 2025: Everything you need to know. Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Chicago River Dyeing and other events happening this St. Patrick's weekend. St. Patrick's Day Parade The main parade will be held Saturday, March 15 at 12:15 but entry to the parade begins at 11 a.m., according to the official parade website. St. Patrick's Day 2025 in Chicago will once again kick off with the iconic Chicago River Dyeing By NBC Chicago Staff • Published February 18, 2025 • Updated on March 10, 2025 at 3:53 pm BOOKMARKER Chicago will once again go all out for St. Patrick's Day this year with one of the city's most iconic traditions: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing. The Chicago River Dyeing for 2025 is scheduled for 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 Things to Do 🚤 Launch the 2025 boating season on Chicago’s iconic Green River 🍹 Party along the Riverwalk with DJ Tecknique and more 🎧 2 levels of music and drinks for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day experience 👓 Free St. Patrick’s Day sunglasses and green beads while supplies last Chicago’s famous green river for St. Patrick’s Day started with a simple idea in the 1960s, formulated by the head of the Plumbers’ Union Local 130. “Stephen M. Bailey had the idea when As is tradition, the Chicago River will be turned green for St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 15. Crews start the process in the morning, working from Columbus Drive to Orleans Street, and the "The dying of the river green is such a public event that it helped concretize the celebration of St. Patrick's day in the city," Peter Alter, chief historian at the Chicago History Museum, told The city's downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at Columbus and Balbo drives in Grant Park. The parade West Loop and Fulton Market. Bandit; Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Bandit on Two, the second floor of Bandit, on Saturday, March 15, 2025. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., ticket holders can enjoy a private event featuring a standard open bar with mimosas and well cocktails, passed bar bites, and festive green décor and swag. The Chicago Plumbers Union, Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, says its been dyeing the Chicago River green in honor of the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations for decades, with this year Want to avoid the crowds but still watch the Chicago River be dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day this weekend?
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