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The Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
DOWNTOWN — St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago kicked off with the river being dyed green early Saturday.
The river is bright green between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street. The effect typically lasts for several days and is the city’s traditional kickoff to St. Patrick’s Day, with thousands of people lining Downtown bridges and the riverwalk to see the river change hues.
Chicagoans also headed to a variety of St. Patrick’s Day parades and events, including the South Side Irish Parade. More than 75,000 people attended the parade — the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade outside of Dublin, according to organizers.
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, but many celebrated it this weekend, going to local parades, parties and other events.
Saturday was chilly in Chicago, with temperatures in the 30s — but many still flocked Downtown to see it turn neon green and to celebrate the weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Dyeing the river is a longtime tradition. It started in 1962 by representatives of the Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130. It’s happened almost every year since then, though the display disappeared in 2020 due to the pandemic. It made a surprise reappearance in 2021.
Photographer Kathleen Hinkel got photos of the weekend’s festivities.
Photos from the weekend:
Crowds watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoMerch is sold as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoFrom left: Shunnosuke Naruoka, Misaka Okubo, Yuki Naruoka and Keiichi Okubo came from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Rules family traveled from Detroit with Henry, 1, and Hudson, 3, to watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoFestive socks as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoRobbie Lopez (left), 41, and Emily Prahin, 33, stop to check their phones as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe horses of the Chicago Police Department Mounted Unit wear green bowties as they patrol while the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago, Illinois on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoMayoral candidate Paul Vallas greets people before the South Side Irish Parade. The other mayoral candidate, Brandon Johnson, was not at the parade. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCandidate for mayor Paul Vallas and James “Skinny” Sheahan (foreground) greet people before the South Side Irish Parade March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel for Block Club ChicagoIrish dancers walk down Western Avenue during the 2023 South Side Irish Parade. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds stand on the bridges as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoJacob Miller, 29, of Edgewater, poses while celebrating St. Pat’s in downtown Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoLuke McKee, Dave McKee and Kevin Walsh, of the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, pose for a portrait after the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds pack it in to watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds pack it in to watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Chicago on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoMusicians play at Chief O’Neills for St. Patrick’s Day after the river was dyed green on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoDancers from the Dennehy Irish School of Dance perform at Fox’s Restaurant and Pub in Beverly after the South Side Irish Parade on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoA crowd hangs out at Dingers Sports Bar in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoKids reach for treats during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoPeople ride horses down Western Avenue during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoCrowds have their hats ready for treats during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoJunie McManus, 10, tosses a bag as her brother Mickey McManus, 12, looks on before the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe resident pup from Open Outcry Brewing rides shotgun during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoKids jump to deliver candy to the crowd from their float during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoFrom left: Friends Chief, Benjamin, Lamont, Jordan and Manuel gather beads during the South Side Irish Parade in Beverly on March 12, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoThe Morgan Park High School Marching Band marches during the South Side Irish Parade. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoKids line the parade route in Beverly during the South Side Irish Parade. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoNoah Kelly, 24, and Rebecca Nonnenmann, 22, share a moment as they take in the dyed Chicago River for St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, Illinois on March 11, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoMaddie McKibbin and Jen Baxtron (right) hang out in the staging area at 103rd and Western before the South Side Irish Parade. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago
