Each year, vibrant Chicago is dramatically changed in a unique way, transforming to become a massive ocean of green as locals and visitors of all kinds gather to enjoy the celebratory joy of St. Patrick’s Day. The cheerful holiday, celebrated widely for its joy-filled atmosphere brimming with delight, classic parades of brightly hued floats, and a kaleidoscope of Irish heritage, is even more remarkable thanks to one quintessential local tradition: dyeing the River of Chicago a bright shade of green. The one-time affair is a symbol of the rapturous celebrations of the city, one that brings in not just fans from all over the country but fans from all over the globe. The History of the Green River Tradition The time-honored tradition of dyeing the River of Chicago green actually traces its origin all the way to 1962. The procedure was undertaken in a somewhat unintentional manner when a group of local plumbers’ union members, in their efforts to ascertain the source of pollutants in the river, used a dye […] Continue reading