Dyeing the Chicago River green 2024: Date, time, how to watch St. Patrick’s Day tradition
James Powel
USA TODAY
While everyone gets to be a bit Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day Sunday, the Chicago River will get a head start when it is dyed green this weekend.
The over 60-year tradition of dyeing the Chicago River is set to take place Saturday ahead of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The dyeing is carried out by members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 who have been turning the river emerald green since 1962.
The best views in the city to see the dyeing are on Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus and Fairbanks, according to the Local, but you don’t have to be in the Windy City to watch.
Here’s how to watch the Chicago River St. Patrick’s Day dyeing.
Why does Chicago dye it’s river green for St. Patrick’s Day?
In 1961 the then business manager of the plumbers local, Stephen Bailey, noticed that one of his member’s coveralls had been stained green.
When the member said that the stains were a result of the chemicals used to discover leaks Bailey made the connection to the holiday and, according to the Local, said, “call the mayor, we’ll dye the river green.”
When is the river dyed green?
The river will be dyed green on Saturday at 10 a.m. CT.
Where can I watch the river being dyed?
NBC affiliate WMAQ is streaming the river dyeing on its website.
When does the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade start?
The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade will begin at 12:15 p.m. CT.
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