‘Quintessential Chicago’: River goes green for St. Patrick’s Day

Birds are chirping, temperatures are rising and the Chicago River is flowing neon green.

It must be mid-March in the city.

Thousands of revelers flooded the Loop on Saturday for the annual river dyeing and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including Lisa Henry, a Lincoln Square resident, who stood along the Freedom Boat Club docks waiting to board a vessel for a water-level view.

Henry has watched the dyeing from a boat for past six years and says it’s the best way to take in the verdant spectacle.

“It’s quintessential Chicago. It’s one of the reasons why this city is the best in the world,” Henry said.

Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Henry arrived to the event in a neon green wig and boa, along with more muted green attire, matching the energy of a city that always goes all out for St. Paddy’s.

“It’s just more friendly than usual,” Henry said. “We come alive together.”

Jonathan Levine, the vice president of regional operations for Freedom Boat Club who captained one of the company’s other ships, called it “a huge event for Chicago.” It was Levine’s first time watching from the water in the five years since the company started setting sail on the river’s greenest day of the year.

Can he ever go back to the riverside view?

“I don’t know,” Levine said, laughing. “That’s a tough question.”

As the dye settled, Garfield Ridge resident Melissa Seledon sprinted from the river to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Drive along with her nephews Gabriel, 4, and Ayden, 9.

Melissa Seledon, a 36-year-old Garfield Ridge resident, with her nephews Gabriel, 4, and Ayden, 9, pictured near the end of the parade’s route at South Columbus Drive and East Monroe Street.

On his first trip to the Irish-themed activities, Ayden had some tips for the people putting on the parade — most importantly, more “green candy.”

“Also smoke bubbles. Maybe they should add some green smoke,” the budding event planner mused.

Ayden’s aunt didn’t share his concerns, but said she enjoyed the bagpipes.

Couple Lisa and Brian Magusin, along with their friend Keri Deluca, came in from the Detroit metro area for the parade.

The trio have been going to a different St. Patrick’s Day parade every year for nearly a decade, the most recent being in Dublin, Ohio, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Grand Rapids is on the docket for next year.

Keri Deluca and friends Lisa and Brian Magusin cheer as the bagpipe players near the end of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Despite a “pushy crowd,” their only complaints were a lack of bathrooms and trashcans. They did, however, have advice for others looking to attend the parade.

“Get here early and don’t stand on the street,” Deluca said.

Lisa had been to the parade once 20 years ago, but it was a first for the other two, who said Chicago’s stacked up nicely compared to other towns.

“I love this city. Chicago is beautiful,” Lisa said.

“It’s amazing,” Deluca said. “The city is alive.”

Paradegoers cheer Saturday during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Drive.

Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Lisa Henry rides a boat Saturday as the Chicago River is dyed green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Kids wait for the Chicago River to be dyed green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Paradegoers get free energy drinks Saturday during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Drive.

Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Spectators on boats watch as the Chicago River is dyed green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Members of Fox High School wave flags Saturday during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Drive.

Spectators cheer while waiting for the Chicago River to be dyed green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

Paradegoers at Maggie Daley Park watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Drive Saturday.

A goose floats after the Chicago River was dyed green Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

The Chicago River, which was dyed green, is seen in this photo Saturday ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.