Photos: Chicago Indulges In All Its St. Patrick's Day Parade Traditions

By Chicagoist_Guest in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 13, 2016 6:00AM

Group of St. Patrick’s Day revelers cross Michigan Avenue as they make their way to Columbus Drive for the parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

St. Patrick’s Day revelers caused the sidewalks near the Art Institute to become congested as groups moved in opposite directions, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

St. Patrick’s Day revelers walk on the sidewalk on Michigan Avenue as they make their way to Columbus Drive for the parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Bucket drummers drum away as some women dance, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Bucket drummers drum away as people walk past on their way to Columbus Drive to catch the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Dozens of people line up to use the porta-potties at Grant Park near Columbus Drive, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Parade goer with cans and bottles stuck to his head, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle attends the parade.

Drum major with the Hubbard High School JROTC Battalion confused where to position himself and his unit before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Drummers with the Hubbard High School JROTC Battalion stand at attention awaiting the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Drummer with the Hubbard High School JROTC Battalion plays a cadence beat, while awaiting the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Drummer with the Shannon Rovers drums away with his fellow rovers in a jam circle, before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Bass drummer with the Shannon rovers drums away with his fellow rover in a jam circle, before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel meets with supporters and parade marshals right before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Drummer with the Hubbard High School JROTC Battalion starts to play the cadence that the unit will march to, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner walking to his position in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

City Clerk of Chicago Susana Mendoza and her child speaks with supporters and parade marshals right before the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Parade goer with the Irish flags colors painted on his face watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Bagpipers with the Shannon Rovers stand at attention waiting for the start of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Shannon Rovers march down Columbus Drive stepping off Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Shannon Rovers drummer marches past during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel waves to parade goers as he and other elected officials and honored guests march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago

Parade goers watch as the Shannon Rovers and elected officials march past during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner marches in the parade.

Dog wearing an Irish paddy cap walk in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s float with supporters moves past during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Chicago.

By Tyler LaRiviere/Chicagoist
Chicagoans indulged in at least three time-honored traditions this weekend: Dyeing the Chicago River green, parading at noon, and getting drunk before 10 in the morning. The St. Patrick's Day festivities (though St. Patrick's Day is not actually until the 17th) kicked off with the River dyeing ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday. Thousands turned out to watch members of the Chicago's Plumbers Union pour an orange chemical in the Chicago River that turned it green.

After the ceremony, the masses wandered around the Loop, buying green merchandise or enjoying a round or two at local bars before wandering to Columbus Drive to see the St. Patrick’s Day Parade kick off. The parade featured Irish groups, local school bands, and elected officials including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Have a look at some photos we snapped of all the festivities and fun Saturday.

st. patricks day st. patricks day parade

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