Image via Wikipedia
Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick‘s Day. Saint Patrick’s Day has been observed for more than 1000 years. It is observed on March 17th, the date of Patrick’s death. He is generally recognized as the patron saint of Ireland. Legend credits St. Patrick with banishing snakes from the island and chasing them into the sea.
Chicago River is dyed Green for Saint Patrick’s Day
For a city that has been run by the Daley Dynasty for most of my lifetime, you have to understand the importance of the Parade to the residents of Chicago. It is so important, that we have two annual St. Patrick’s Day parades in Chicago. Everyone wears green. We even dye the river green, our fountains sprew green water and we drink green beer.
Chicago’s Green Fountain for St. Patrick’s Day
We always crown a queen. The St. Patrick’s Day Queen and her Court ride a majestic float the day of the parade.
In Chicago we begin the day by dying the Chicago River Green at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday March 16th. This interesting tradition of One “the dyeing of the Chicago River a nearly radioactive looking Kelly green” has been around for 51 years. Here’s what happened:
“A couple of plumbers discovered the orange dye they used to detect leaks and illegal discharges of sewage into the Chicago River turned the water that Irish Kelly Green. They told the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 110 business manager Stephen Bailey, who then asked around and ultimately received permission to try and dye the river green.”
“The Plumbers Local union is charged with dyeing the river green every year. They first used 100 pounds of the vegetable dye, which kept the river green for about a week. Today, 40 pounds of vegetable dye is mixed into the river using motorboats, which is enough to keep the river a Shamrock green for about four-to-five hours, after which the river reverts back to its murky, polluted green.”
The best place to view the green river spectacle is from the east side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive. When the river flows Kelly green, it’s time to start the parade.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at Balbo and Columbus at noon. This spectacular event is attended by thousands of people and features a colorful array of floats. The parade proceeds north on Columbus Drive and ends up in front of Buckingham Fountain where the viewing stand awaits. Everyone is encouraged to wear green to engender the luck of the Irish. There’s plenty of parties at local bars after the parade.
Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day in Chicago
About a week after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the city will host the Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. This 8K race kicks off the city’s running and racing season.
This is a photograph of the Chicago River dyed green for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. On the left is Wacker Drive, where it changes from three to two levels. Crossing the river is Michigan Avenue’s double-decker bridge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com
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