The Chicago River has been dyed a bright shade of green, kicking off the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Thousands of people lined the riverfront downtown Chicago on Saturday to see the dyeing, a tradition for the holiday that dates to 1962.
WATCH: 2015 timelapse video of dyeing Chicago River green
A parade was also scheduled. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and many candidates running in Tuesday’s primary election were expected to march.
READ MORE: Increased police patrols in Waterloo as thousands expected for St. Patrick’s Day
The grand marshal is Alderman Patrick O’Connor. He says it’s a chance to celebrate “the hard working Irish men and women” of Chicago.
The Chicago Plumbers Union started the tradition of dyeing the river green, with a material once used to locate leaks in buildings. Organizers say the powder used is a secret recipe and is environmentally safe.
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