Break out the green beer and don your finest leprechaun hat, Chicago's gearing up for St. Patrick's Day with a series of events that'll turn the Windy City into a sea of emerald hues. The city is set for a rollicking day on March 16, starting with the dyeing of the Chicago River at 10 a.m., a spectacle sponsored by Plumbers Local 130 UA that harks back nearly 70 years. Soon after, at 12:15 p.m., the St. Patrick's Day Parade will march down the streets with President and CEO of Mado management, LP, Peter O'Brien leading as Grand Marshal and mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy of The Kennedy Forum joining him as the Guest of Honor, as reported by WGN-TV.
If parades and public displays of chromatic river transformations aren't quite your pint of Guinness, there's more. The newly minted Guinness Open Gate Brewery is throwing its inaugural St. Paddy's bash starting March 13, a fete sure to draw both stout enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit alike. They won't just serve up a good time; their $30,000 donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository ensures they're also serving the community as noted by NBC Chicago.
For those enchanted by Wrigleyville, the neighborhood's Charmed Bar is transforming into The Magical Irish Pop-Up. NBC Chicago describes it as "covered in rainbows, green shamrocks" where patrons can snag a photo-op and sip on themed drinks. This is nestled among various St. Patrick's Day events hosted citywide, including the vibrant South Side Irish Parade slated for Sunday, March 17, which promises to be a grand testament to community and heritage.
Tradition is king in Chicago when it comes to St. Patrick's Day, and the dyeing of the river is a testament to this ceremonial pride. WGN-TV reveals, 'The best place to see the river dyeing is on Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus Drive and Wabash Avenue," where the plumbers union will work its annual magic, turning the river a vivid green – a guarded environmental secret and a modern marvel all wrapped in one. And yes, while the streets might be where the parade passes, the river keeps its shade for about a month, keeping the city in a state of extended celebration, as per WGN-TV.
