Marcus Chen
Every year, the Chicago River is dyed green in honour of the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The tradition dates back to 1962 when the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 used green dye to transform the river. The dye was originally used to detect leaks in the river, and the plumbers now use around 40 pounds of it to turn the river a vibrant shade of green. The process involves two boats—one to drop the dye and another to stir it. While the exact formula is a secret, we know that the dye is an orange-red, vegetable-based powder that magically turns the river green.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | The Saturday before St. Patrick's Day each year |
| Started | 1962 |
| Initiated by | Stephen Bailey, Business Manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 |
| Inspired by | The bright green stain on a plumber's overalls, caused by a dye used to detect leaks in the river |
| Colour | Green, or "Irish green" |
| Type of dye | Orange-red, vegetable-based powder |
| Amount of dye | 40 pounds |
| Boats | Two boats—one to drop the dye and another to stir it |
| People involved | Six plumbers from the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union |
| River stretch | From Columbus Drive to State Street or Orleans Street |
| Time taken | About 45 minutes |
| Best viewing spots | Chicago Riverwalk, Upper Wacker Drive, Michigan Avenue Bridge |
| Closures | Bridges over the river, lower-level riverwalk, public stairwells in the area |
| Safety concerns | Environmentalists have expressed concerns over the years, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has deemed the current dye "completely nontoxic" |
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What You'll Learn
The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union dyes the river green
The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 has been dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day celebrations for decades. The tradition dates back to 1962 when, a year earlier, Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the union, noticed emerald green stains on a plumber's overalls. The stains were caused by a dye used to detect leaks in the river. Bailey, who was also the city's St. Patrick's Day parade chairman, suggested using the dye to turn the river green.
With the approval of Mayor Richard J. Daley, the union used 100 pounds of the dye to stain the river for St. Patrick's Day. The bright colour honours Ireland's nickname, the Emerald Isle. The river is dyed a quarter-mile stretch from Columbus Drive to State Street or Orleans Street. Two boats are used, one to dump the dye and another to stir it. The dye is an orange-red, vegetable-based powder, and it takes 40 to 45 minutes to turn the river green.
The exact formula is a closely guarded secret, and the river's green colour typically lasts for several hours. The Chicago Riverwalk offers the best views of the spectacle, particularly in the morning or early afternoon. The event draws thousands of onlookers who line the sidewalks, bridges, and riverwalk to watch the river transform. The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 also dyed a portion of the river blue in 2016 to celebrate the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.
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The dye is originally orange, not green
The tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green began in 1962, when the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 used green dye to transform the river ahead of the city's St. Patrick's Day parade. The dye is typically administered by six plumbers in two boats, one to dump the dye and the other to stir the water.
The exact formula of the dye is a closely guarded secret, passed down through the generations of the plumbers' union. However, it is known that the dye is a vegetable-based powder and that it is originally orange in colour. When the dye is first added to the river, it appears orange, but after a few moments, it transforms into the iconic green hue.
The original inspiration for the river dye came from Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the plumbers union, in 1961. Bailey noticed that one of his plumbers was wearing white overalls that had been stained a bright shade of green. This colour, known as "Irish green", was caused by a dye used to detect leaks in the river. Bailey, who was also the chairman of the St. Patrick's Day parade, suggested using this dye to turn the river green in honour of the holiday.
The Chicago River has been dyed green annually for over 60 years, becoming a beloved tradition in the city. While the practice has faced some environmental scrutiny, the City of Chicago maintains that the dye is safe and poses no ecosystem risks. The river's temporary green hue has come to symbolise Chicago's pride in its Irish heritage and the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
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The tradition started in 1962
The tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green started in 1962. The story goes that in 1961, Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, noticed emerald green stains on a plumber's overalls. These fluorescent stains were caused by a dye used to detect leaks and pollution in the river. Bailey, who was also the city's St. Patrick's Day parade chairman, suggested using the dye to turn the river green.
The following year, with the approval of Mayor Richard J. Daley, the Chicago Plumbers Union used 100 pounds of the same dye to stain the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day. The bright, emerald green hue honours Ireland's nickname, the Emerald Isle. The river has been dyed green every year since, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The "greening" of the Chicago River is an iconic tradition that has drawn thousands of onlookers each year. The best views of the river can be seen from the Chicago Riverwalk in the morning or early afternoon. The exact formula of the dye is a closely guarded secret, but it is known to be an orange-red, vegetable-based powder. The dye is typically dumped into the river from a motorboat, and then stirred by another boat until the water turns a vibrant shade of green.
The Chicago Plumbers Union, also known as the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, has been responsible for carrying out this tradition for over 60 years. The union has also been credited for their work in improving the clean water infrastructure surrounding the river and keeping the city's water supply safe.
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$10.78
The river is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day
The Chicago River has been dyed green for St. Patrick's Day celebrations since 1962. The tradition began in 1961 when Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, noticed emerald green stains on a plumber's overalls. The stains were caused by a fluorescent dye used to detect leaks and pollution in the river. Bailey, who was also the city's St. Patrick's Day parade chairman, suggested using the dye to turn the river green for the celebrations.
The following year, with the approval of Mayor Richard J. Daley, the Chicago Plumbers Union used 100 pounds of the same dye to stain the river green for St. Patrick's Day. The bright, Irish green hue honours Ireland's nickname, the Emerald Isle. The river is dyed in the stretch between Columbus Drive and State Street or Orleans Street. Two boats are used—one to dump the dye and another to stir it. The dye is an orange-red, vegetable-based powder, and it takes about 40-45 minutes to turn the river green.
The exact formula for the dye remains a closely guarded secret, although the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it "completely nontoxic". The tradition is well-loved by holiday revellers, with thousands of people flocking to see the river being dyed each year. The "greening" event has inspired rogue dyers in the past, with people sneaking green dye into other sections of the river without permission.
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The best views are on Upper Wacker Drive
The Chicago River is dyed green each year to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The tradition has been going on for over 60 years, with the river being turned a bright shade of green the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. The dye is typically added to the river in the morning, and the colour usually lasts a day or two. The Chicago Plumbers Union, or Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, has been carrying out this tradition for decades.
The best views of the river-dying ceremony are on Upper Wacker Drive. This location offers different vantages of the river, and while it can get busy, it is not hard to find a good viewing spot with a bit of patience. The best views on Upper Wacker Drive are between Columbus Drive and Fairbanks or between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street, where the dye is added to the river. If you want to get a good spot, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning, as the crowds start to build up.
There are also other ways to experience the river-dying ceremony. For instance, you could opt for an indoor view from one of the restaurants or bars along the river, which often host viewing parties. You could also book a ticket for a Chicago River cruise or bring your kayak.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of dyeing the river green is to honour the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
The tradition of dyeing the river green dates back to 1962.
The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union is responsible for dyeing the river.
The dye is orange, but once it settles in the water, it turns green.
Forty pounds of dye is used to colour the river green.
