The dyeing of the river for St. Patrick’s Day drew an eclectic crowd to downtown Chicago on Saturday.
Nadine Freiheit, 52, drove from her home in Mazeppa, Minnesota, for the revelry. Dressed in a tri-colored skirt over leggings, knee-high socks that look like boots with buckles on them and lots of beads and a green baseball cap, Freheit has been to several St. Patrick’s Day events, including in Boston and Minneapolis, to celebrate her Irish heritage.
“My grandma was a McNulty, and so it runs deep in our bloodline,” said Freiheit, who was there with a friend and her sister.
She typically prefers wine, but she’ll be imbibing Irish beer this weekend to get into the spirit.
Radgel Morales, who came from Arizona, had the same idea.
“I’m excited to drink; this celebration is all for that,” said Morales, who was decked out in a shimmery green top and “mermaid pants.”
Radgel Morales of Arizona shows off her St. Patrick’s Day look, sparkly and shimmery green top and “mermaid pants.” | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Nicholas Damery, 30, of Chicago was there to serenade attendees with his bagpipes.
The musician wore a kilt, and his cardboard tip box had “proposal ring fund” written on it in black marker.
The catch is that Damery is single.
He said he knows the gag about his fake girlfriend will earn him more tips.
“‘Every time someone comes up, ‘What’s her name? What’s her name?’ I make up a new name. Jessica. Oh, Ashley. I go, ‘Oh, I love her so much.’ Total lie. I’m a liar,” he said.
The story is effective. Last year, Damery said he collected roughly $1,500 in tips from St. Patrick’s Day parties.
After the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 turned the Chicago River green, thousands flocked to Columbus Drive for the annual downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Regulars of the parade, like the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band and the Trinitiy Irish Dancers, marched as spectators donned green hats, necklaces and shirts.
