Chicago has decided to move its St. Continue Patrick’s Day tradition of coloring the river green this year, and fulfilling the city’s promise in an effort to achieve a degree of normalcy during the coronavirus pandemic.
Patrick’s Day parade will not take place, and city officials have issued strict guidelines on the event in pubs to celebrate it. But the river will run green, officials said.
Thousands of people usually gather to see how Plumbers Union Local 130 colors the river before the holidays.
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The streets along the Chicago River are still empty, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot has made sure that some things will not change on one of the busiest holidays in Windy City.
The city did not announce the event, but residents woke up Saturday to see the river as green as a coconut.
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The tradition began in 1962 and continued every year until 2020, when it was interrupted due to the pandemic, reports FOX 32.
Small groups of people did witness the process, some even cheered on the city’s surprise decision, reports the Chicago Tribune.
The first boat leaves on Saturday just after 7am and leaves a trail of green behind.
“We are pleased that Mayor Lightfoot has decided to continue this tradition because we really missed it last year,” Jones, 59, told the newspaper. “But it’s a beautiful day.”
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The Riverwalk will remain closed for the day, and anyone who witnesses the tradition has had the chance to take a photo before authorities ask them to leave.