One of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day traditions in America took place again this past weekend in Chicago. The city’s iconic river was dyed bright green as thousands of people gathered to celebrate the holiday.
The tradition dates back to 1962 when members of the Chicago Plumbers Local Union came up with the idea. They wanted to do something special to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, so they poured about 100 pounds of green dye into the river.
The result was a stunning transformation that quickly became a beloved annual event. Today the process is carefully managed using environmentally safe dye that creates the vibrant green color for several hours.
Crowds gather along the Chicago River every year to watch the moment when the water changes color. The celebration has become one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
The tradition also includes parades, festivals, and plenty of Irish themed celebrations across the city.
Even people who are not Irish enjoy the festive atmosphere and colorful spectacle. For many Chicago residents, the green river marks the official start of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations each year.
After more than sixty years, the tradition remains one of the most unique holiday celebrations in the country.