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EmailChicago has historically been home to innumerable people of Irish descent. Therefore, it is only natural that this city should be home to an annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Not to be confused with the city’s South Side Irish Parade, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a traditional celebration since the 1950′s. The parade attracts countless tourists each year to view its famous activity, festivities, and excitements.
The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade was initially called the Southtown Parade and was held on Chicago’s 79th Street. The event moved to its current, more accessible location in central Chicago in 1960. A second parade entitled the South Side Irish Parade was founded in order to commemorate the original location and traditions; however, this is a separate celebration, and visitors should not confuse the South Side Irish Parade with the more major Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Each year, the event is held on the first Saturday that falls before or on St. Patrick’s Day. The celebration’s committee members assert that it will never be canceled, regardless of any inclement weather. The parade has been held every year without fail since its inception in the 1950′s.
The day’s festivities always begin with a traditional dyeing of the Chicago River. Members of the parade committee, usually accompanied by the city mayor and other prominent local figures, pour gallons of orange dye into the river promptly at 10:45 A.M. The dye interacts with various particles in the river that eventually cause the water to turn a vibrant shade of green. Visitors who want to receive an especially good view of the dyeing ceremony can go to the intersection of Wacker Drive, Michigan Avenue, and the river to see the process. The bridges at LaSalle and Dearborn Street also offer prime views of the ceremony.
The event begins at 12 P.M., directly after the dyeing ceremony has been completed. The celebration is launched from Grant Park, which is located at the corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo. From there, the festivities’ participants travel north until they reach Monroe Street. Visitors can receive an excellent view of the festivities from anywhere along Columbus Drive. The viewing platform is positioned on Congress Drive in front of the Buckingham Fountain.
The parade is certainly an event that visitors remember for many years to come. Filled with dancers, marchers, bright green floats, and traditional Irish music, that captures the lighthearted spirit of the holiday to a T. The event’s exact participants vary from year to year, but visitors are consistently excited and enthralled by the parade’s festivities.
The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also noted for its traditional Irish food, which visitors can enjoy before, during, and after the primary celebrations. Corned beef, cabbage, lamb stew, baked parsnips, and thousands of different potato dishes can be enjoyed at restaurants along the parade route. Food vendors also wander amongst the crowd, selling sausages and classic Irish beer to visitors as they watch the parade go by. Some visitors to the event have been known to attend the festivities every year for the sole purpose of enjoying some good old-fashioned Irish fare.
Parking garages and lots are available for the usage of tourists and out-of-town visitors. However, these tend to fill up quite quickly, and can be very expensive for families who wish to spend the entire day in the city. It is suggested that visitors take advantage of Chicago’s bus or train systems, which can deposit tourists within feet of some of the parade’s best viewing spots.
photo credit: locusolus
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