NITN | @notintownlive | 17 Mar 2024, 09:53 pm

Throngs of revelers, comprising both locals and tourists, sporting the signature gears and cheering lustily, painted the windy city in the colour of St. Patrick's Day on Saturday as the Chicago River bled emerald green after the river dyeing, a traditionl since 1962.
According to Choose Chicago, the city's tourism promotion body, there is nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, "when Irish taverns fill with revelers, cultural celebrations pop up in every corner of the city, and the Chicago River sparkles brilliant shades of emerald green."
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 and became an official city event in the 1950s. The dyeing of the Chicago River was added in 1962, quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most famous events, it said.
Along with the downtown festivities, Chicago’s proud Irish heritage is also on full display in its neighborhoods — from Beverly (a traditionally Irish enclave) to the Irish American Heritage Center near Albany Park.
The streets were teeming with celebratory crowds wearing the green gears of St. Patrick's Day- from hats to T-shirts and green sequin outfits.
According to Choose Chicago, the Chicago River dyeing is one of the most unique St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world. Typically held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (the same day as the downtown parade), this bucket-list event is a beloved tradition that dates back over half a century.
The best place to watch the St. Patrick’s Day spectacle, now in its 69th year, is along the Chicago River between State and Columbus. The lower Riverwalk is closed, but spectators can watch from Upper Wacker and the many bridges.
The green river dyeing starts at 10 a.m.
The first time the Chicago River was dyed green was in 1962, thanks to a suggestion from the local plumbers union. That first river dyeing turned the waters green for nearly a month — nowadays, the color only lasts for a few hours.
The plumbers union still holds the river-dyeing honors today, and their environmentally friendly dye formula remains a closely kept secret.
- Indian tourists to France surge 40% after UPI adoption: Lyra Network chief
- India to provide free e-visas to Mongolian citizens: Modi
- Air India Express launches brand campaign across South Asia, Middle East, South East Asia Network
- Berlin marks inaugural Freedom Week with films, talks, and performances
- Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart to be held annually on Oct 11-13, announces state CM Mohan Yadav
- Eiffel Tower remains closed amid strikes, sparking demolition rumours
- Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2025 to be inaugurated by CM Mohan Yadav tomorrow
- Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2025: The grand confluence of tourism in 'Heart of India' set to begin tomorrow
- Egypt returns to IFTM Paris 2025 with new travel experiences
- Dan Brown’s latest thriller brings Prague’s Gothic charm to life
British Airways has announced its plans for network expansion in India as it backed a UK government trade mission to the country, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Air India Group has announced changes to its domestic operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to ongoing expansion work at Terminal 3 (T3).
IndiGo will operate direct daily flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow Airport from Oct 26, 2025. Heathrow is Europe’s largest aviation hub and one of the world’s most connected airports.