THE RIVER — Hazy sunshine and an hour’s worth of green dye turned the Chicago River a vibrant, emerald green Saturday as Chicago kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend with the annual tradition.
It’s the 63rd year the local plumbers union turned the murky green river into a verdant vision — an effect that lasts for several days.
Thousands of people flocked Downtown Saturday morning to check out the process, lining the river from Columbus Drives far to end of the main branch.
After a night of rains and high winds, the weather cooperated, with the sun fighting through a haze and temperatures reaching into the 60s.
The river dyeing kicked off 10 a.m. Saturday, with Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 members dumping their proprietary blend of dyes into the river between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street.
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The plumbers local has been behind the tradition since 1962. The effect became a symbol of the city that’s been well documented in tv shows, movies and your social media feeds for the next few days.
The idea was spawned by Stephen Bailey, who was the union’s business manager in the early ’60s and thought the dye — used to trace leaks in buildings — would be a nice way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Although the exact concoction remains a closely guarded secret, it is vegetable-based. Dyeing the river only requires about 40 pounds of powdered dye, which is spread from motorboats and shot into the river by hoses aboard Architecture Tours boats. Other boats follow behind to stir the pot and spread the dye.
The end result of the annual dyeing of the Chicaago River. Credit: Shamus Toomey/Block Club Chicago
A dog dons green bows before the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 15, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Revelers mill about as a person plays bagpipes after the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 15, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
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