I must admit the first time I heard about this St. Patrick’s Day tradition here in Chicago, I didn’t believe it. I mean, certainly in a city with a large Irish population such as Chicago’s there would be a cavalcade of celebrations. But dye the Chicago River green? Yes, this is true, and I’ve seen it myself!
The tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day dates back to 1962. No one knows exactly what is used to create this emerald wonder; well, the folks from Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 know, but they aren’t spilling the proverbial green beans, as it were.
I have been told the dye is a vegetable based solution which is not harmful to the river or any of its occupants (can you imagine the look on a fisherman’s face when the local catch turns up wearing a wee leprechaun hat?). *grin*
[photos courtesy of abclocal.go.com]
How about watching the Chicago River turn green in 30 seconds? Here is a very interesting link to just that very video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfKLG4pRIU
[link courtesy of youtube.com]
Wherever you happen to be on our beautiful globe today, to you I say, “Happy St. Paddy’s Day, the green river Chicago Way” Cheers!
The Chicago Files 