Chicago is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and the downtown area was packed with visitors and partygoers. NBC 5’s Lisa Chavarria has the story.
It was a sunny, but chilly, day in Chicago as hundreds of thousands came out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in grand style.
The annual dyeing of the Chicago River drew big crowds in the morning, and a slew of dignitaries made their way downtown for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Grant Park.
The scene was a bit different this year, as the city increased security along the parade route on Columbus Drive. The hundreds of thousands of visitors who were expected to attend had to go through one of two security checkpoints, and for the first time, coolers and alcohol were not allowed along the parade route.
“There’s been no problems,” Teri Sherwood, an Ohio resident visiting for the weekend, said. “I mean, obviously they have it down pat, and they’ve done a great job with it.”
Both of Chicago’s mayoral candidates were also at the parade, including Toni Preckwinkle, as she celebrated her birthday.
n9 a.m. March 16
nThousands attend the iconic annual Chicago River Dyeing and Downtown Parade. For more than 40 years, members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union have turned the river a bright emerald green for about five hours by dumping dye off the sides of boats. One of the best locations to watch the dyeing is at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.
nNoon March 16
nRain or shine, the parade steps off at Balbo and Columbus, proceeding north. Typically, if St. Patrick's Day doesn't fall on a Saturday, the parade is held the Saturday before the holiday.
nNoon March 17
nThose who wish to attend both the South Side and Downtown St. Patrick's Day parades are in luck, considering they both fall on different days. The 2019 South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off from 103rd and proceed along Western Avenue to 115th Street.
n11:30 a.m. March 11
nA half-hour before the South Side Irish Parade, up to 500 runners can partake in a one-mile race down Western Avenue. Every runner receives beads and green running sunglasses at the finish line. Register here.
nNoon March 17
nThe 16th annual Northwest Side Irish Parade starts around William J. Onahan School (6634 W. Raven St.) at N. Neola Ave and W. Raven St. Proceeds from the parade go to community charities.
n1 p.m.-12 a.m. March 16
nThis annual festival at the Irish American Heritage Center blends music, dance, food and activities all under one roof immediately following the Downtown Parade. Revelers wishing to celebrate the holiday can come early and stay late, beating the bar crowds and cold weather. Tickets can be purchased by calling 773-282-7035, ext. 10 or here.
n10 a.m. March 16
nRunners can leap into St. Patrick's Day by participating in the 18th annual St. Paddy's Day 5K/8K run, formerly known as the Leprechaun Leap. Participants are encouraged to dress in all things green. Register here. Proceeds benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
n8:30 a.m. March 24
nThe Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle kicks off Chicago's running season with a fun 8K race and 2-mile walk through the city's Loop, starting and finishing in Grant Park. Register here.
n8 a.m-2 p.m. March 16
nComplete with a breakfast buffet, a gift card to use along the crawl, a free t-shirt and more than 15 bars to enjoy in Wrigleyville, this could be considered the ultimate St. Patrick's Day bar crawl. For tickets, visit here. All tickets include a selection of freebies.
nMarch 11-17
nThe ShamROCK Chicago 2019 will protect the city’s title as the “Greenest City in the World” by lighting up some of the city's most iconic buildings, monuments and streets. Check out the full list of participants who will light up green in support of ShamROCK Chicago 2019here.
“I always say it’s an Irish Catholic town and I’m neither Irish nor Catholic, but I get to celebrate since it’s my birthday,” she said.
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Lori Lightfoot was also at the parade, and she said the event brings back fond memories of her first years in Chicago.
“The first time I ever came to Chicago, I was a college freshman and I came on St. Patrick’s Day,” she said. “So this is like an anniversary day for me of what I didn’t know then, but as the start of my life in this great city.”
The man that both candidates are aiming to replace was also at the event, as Mayor Rahm Emanuel took in the sights of his last St. Patrick’s Day parade as Chicago mayor.
“I hope I’ve lived up to the responsibilities that have come with that office and it has been an incredible honor to serve the people of the city of Chicago,” he said.
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Vardakar was also in attendance, as was Ultimate Fighting Championship star Conor McGregor.
