Saint Patrick’s Day is a holiday meant for Irish-Americans to embrace their Irish culture and heritage. Through the years, this holiday has spread and is celebrated by many without any Irish blood and is seen as a time to have fun and enjoy being around loved ones. One of the most popular ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day has been through parades, and Chicago has held one annually. This year it will be held on Saturday, March 14.

The Saint Patrick’s Day parade, sponsored by the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, always on the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day, has been every year in downtown Chicago since 1955. The festivities have always started with the infamous dyeing of the Chicago River, an event that many people love viewing. This year, it will occur at 9:30 a.m. For over forty years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers have dyed the river green, which is identical to the Emerald Isle, Ireland. Surprisingly, the dye itself is actually orange, but it turns green after being used. If one wishes to witness this event, he can view it can be best viewed from the east side of the bridge at Columbus Drive or Wacker Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive.

After the dyeing of the Chicago River, the actual parade will begin at 12:00 p.m., and it will be broadcasted on ABC-channel 7. The parade itself will be about three hours long and will consist of a variety of colorful floats. Also, in the parade, will be Irish step dancers,who are a popular Irish tradition and will be followed by marching bands and bagpipers. With this fun and enjoyable atmosphere, one is ensured to have a great time.

Chicago’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has proven to be a festive and successful tradition, lasting for sixty years. The parade is a fun event, regardless if one is 100% or 0% Irish.