Get ready to go green, Chicago! The city's iconic St. Patrick's Day tradition of dyeing the Chicago River a lush shade of green is slated for March 16, a day synonymous with the city's grand parade. The event marks the 63rd year that Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 will have transformed the river into an emerald waterway in a matter of hours, as reported by NBC Chicago.

To pull off this yearly transformation, a small crew aboard boats will navigate the Chicago River, precisely distributing an environmentally friendly orange powder that quickly metamorphoses into a vibrant green once settled in the water. Although the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, the plumbers' union assures it's safe for both marine and land life. Despite any concerns, officials have time and again confirmed the river dye used is vegetable-based and harmless, offering Chicagoans and visitors alike a unique spectacle without harm to their aquatic neighborhood.

The dyeing process is truly a sight to behold, starting with an orange hue that shifts to green before the astonished eyes of onlookers packed between Columbus and Fairbanks on Upper Wacker Drive. Revelers advised by city officials, however, should note that the lower level of the riverwalk will not be accessible on the day of the event.as detailed by NBC Chicago.

"From the Chicago River to the Illinois River, then to the Mississippi, up the Gulf Stream and across the Atlantic you can see the beautiful green enter the Irish Sea, clearly marking the way from Chicago to Ireland," as stated in NBC Chicago.

The St. Patrick's Day parade, to happily coincide with the river's new hue, will kick off at 12:15 p.m. on March 16, following a route from Balbo to Monroe on Columbus Drive, NBC Chicago reports.