GALLERY: Going Green – St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

Saturday March 11 marked the 61st annual dyeing of the Chicago River. Residents from all over the Chicagoland came out in droves to celebrate the beloved city tradition.

A boat passes under the LaSalle St Bridge as the dyeing begins.

A boat travels down the Chicago River as the water is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the Loop on Saturday, March 11.

Thousands flocked to the Loop to kick off a long day of city-wide St. Patrick’s day celebrations.

The Chicago River is over 156 miles long and the only river in the world to be reversed by civil engineering.

Spanning from Lake Shore Drive to the fork in the River around Orleans, a fleet of boats circled the water as they sprayed the dye and greeted the crowds of attendees.

People dressed head to toe in green to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the Loop.

The Chicago River dyeing and parade took place on March 11. Every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, the river is dyed bright green in a tradition dating back over 60 years.

Two children watch boats pass by on the Chicago River for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

The river dyeing is sponsored by the Chicago Journeymen Plumber’s Union 130 who have funded the event since its founding in 1962.

A boat travels down the Chicago River as the river is dyed for St. Patrick’s Day festivitiesin the Loop.

Although officials claim the dye harmless, groups such as Friends of the Chicago River still worry about pollution.