Seeing Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

With the second largest Irish population in the United States, Chicago takes celebrating St. Patrick's Day to a whole 'nother level. The festivities begin on the Saturday before the green holiday with tradition after tradition. For the past 43 years, the Chicago River has been dyed, you guessed it, green! Forty pounds of vegetable dye are poured into almost half a mile of the river and the transformation happens right in front of everyone's eyes! It is often called the "Irish Miracle", as the dye is actually orange, but with a touch from a leprechaun, it turns to the green we know. One boat pours the dye into the water, while another one "stirs" it around.

It has begun!

The boat pouring the dye.

The stirrers.

Mixing up the green paint.

Everyone in the St. Patrick Day's spirit.

All done!

After the dyeing of the river, the St. Patrick's Day parade took place along Columbus Drive this year. Another huge tradition, the parade is the largest in the city and was led by our Mayor Richard M. Daley.

On our way to the parade.

Some people go all out!

Opening of the parade.

She later on gave a kiss to a cop.

Traditional Irish dancers.

More leprechauns!

American and Irish flags.

There were so many traditional Irish dance troupes.

Yes, those are St. Patricks rollerblading.

The guy from before the parade!

Pierre and I tried to stick around for the whole parade, but after I couldn't feel my toes, it was time to meet up with Jill and Gary to grab a bite. Afterwards, Jill and I were on the search for some green beer, but while our search was unsuccessful, we did find some green shots!

Jill and Gary!

Pierre and me in front of the now green river.

Green shots!

And after the green shots.

Hours of celebrating later, we called it a night. For that night, at least. We still had the actual day of St. Patty's for celebrating, so Jill and I headed to Wrigleyville (home of Wrigley Field where the Cubs play) to finally get our green beer and get in the St. Patrick's Day spirit all over again. We stumbled upon The Irish Oak, where we saw our colored drink of choice and decided to give it a try. 

Welcome to Wrigleyville!

The Irish Oak, a new favorite of mine.

Green beer!

More green beer!

All Jill wanted to witness were bagpipers! And with a bit of Irish luck, the Chicago Police Department's Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society came into our bar and put on an awesome show! After a performance in the front of the bar, they made their way towards the back where Jill and I were sitting and we had a front row seat to the festive show.

The sound of bagpipes and drums was a perfect addition to our day.

After they made their way to the back.

With bagpiper Mark Kelly. Thanks again!

The Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society!

Jill and I at The Irish Oak.

The Irish Oak (3511 North Clark Street)

We got our green beer and bagpipes... St. Patrick's Day was definitely a success this year! And with every other holiday, one of my favorite parts is seeing the buildings lit up. Check out some of Chicago in the green spirit.

The Wrigley Building at sunset.

All lit up!

Hancock in the green spirit.