PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day Parade, dyeing of Chicago River
More than 100,000 spectators are expected to line Western Avenue for the 12-block parade route through the Beverly neighborhood.
Saturday's St. Patrick's Day pageantry downtown proved once again that few cities in the world get their green on with the gusto of Chicago, from the wardrobes to the water. Once again the Chicago River flowed emerald green.
For hundreds of thousands of spectators it was a short walk over to Columbus Drive to take in the downtown parade.
Everyone is Irish on this day and politicians from the governor to the mayor and dozens of others join in with the Irish dancers, bagpipers and many others, including the ABC7 Eyewitness News float.
At the Irish American Heritage Center on the Northwest Side this weekend is also about helping people understand the religious significance of the day.
"It gives the young kids the opportunity to see that it's more than just a pint of Guinness," said John Gorski, Irish American Heritage Center.
Not that they aren't serious about their Guinness also. Bartenders consider pouring the perfect mug close to an art form.
"You gotta pour it, let it sit for a minute, and then pour it to the top and let just a little bit of top on it," said bartender Dawn Crimmins.
With the South Side Parade Sunday, there's more fun to be had, no matter what your heritage.
"I'm Italian! I'm 100 percent Italian and I love it, I got the green on all day long, baby," John Cecchin said.
Despite the bitterly cold temperatures and the very strong wind, the cones are in place to mark the parade route, which begins at 103rd and Western Avenue.
