With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner (March 17th), vendors and businesses gear up to promote this wonderful event. Final parade preparations are being made as the entire city of Chicago anxiously await the day when all Chicagoans can say they are Irish.
On March 16th at 10:00am, a 40 plus year tradition will occur when the Chicago River will be dyed the perfect shade of green – Irish green. No matter how many times you might have seen this take place; each time will spark that Irish within you no matter what ethnicity you are. This modern day wonder can be best viewed from the East side of the bridge at Columbus Drive or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive.
At 12:00pm, the Downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Balbo Dr. and Columbus Dr. It will proceed north on Columbus. A viewing stand will be located in front of the Buckingham Fountain.
If you can’t wait until the 16th to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, make your way to Chicago’s south side to attend the Chicago South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This popular parade, which dates back to 1979, was canceled three years ago by city officials after residents complained about the hordes of drunk and unruly people and the spike in assaults against Chicago police officers. It came back with success last year after it was revamped to make it more family friendly. Additional efforts to improve it this year promise an even better parade for all ages.
If you’re not Irish, but would like to celebrate this day by wearing something that celebrates your citizenship as a Chicagoan and the Irish pride it possesses; check out the “Chirish” apparel that is being made for people like you and I. What better way to celebrate one of the nation’s greatest cities for ethnic diversity than to be Chirish for a day or two or three . . .
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