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Must Watch: Chicago River Dyed Green for St. Patrick’s Day

Author Don Chase
March 15th, 2022 3:06 PM
The Chicago River flows through downtown after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago has long been a champion of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day – and the dying of the Chicago River running through town is a perfect example of that.

According to Enjoy Illinois, the river being turned green has gone on for five decades. It’s a tradition that always draws some interesting attention.

Much of the attention each year is about whether the dye is environmentally friendly or not. Officials say the 40 pounds of dye in the Chicago River is harmless.

The tradition traces back to 1962 when the Plumbers Local Union decided to dye the river using a dye plumbers commonly used to detect leaks in pipes. The problem back then was that it kept the river green for a WEEK.

Enjoy Illinois says the Plumbers Local Union has kept up the tradition, while figuring out the right amount and type of dye to use to make it last just a few hours.

Check out this cool video and some photos from the Windy City of Chicago as they prepare for St. Patrick’s Day.

  • Chicago River Is Colored Green To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

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    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: An aerial view of the Chicago River as it winds its way through downtown after being dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

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    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: An aerial picture shot with a drone shows the Chicago River as it flows through downtown after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Is Colored Green To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Workers dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Dyed Green In Annual St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

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    CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 11: A watercraft navigates the Chicago River shortly after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Dyed Green In St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

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    CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 16: Workers begin dying the Chicago River green to kick off the city's St. Patrick's day celebration on March 16, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The dying of the river has been a tradition in the city for 43 years. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Dyed Green In Annual Tradition For St. Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 17: Members of the local plumber's union dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Is Colored Green To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Workers dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Is Colored Green To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: The Chicago River is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Chicago River Is Colored Green To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Workers dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    The Chicago River flows through downtown after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: People view the Chicago River after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: People view the Chicago River after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: Workers clean a boat in the Chicago River after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: Workers clean a boat in the Chicago River after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • In A Surprise Move, Chicago River Dyed Green Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day

    Share

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: People view the Chicago River after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

 

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