A St. Patrick's Day Tradition

Dyeing the River Green
for St. Patrick's Day

Sometime in the 19th century, as
St. Patrick's Day parades were flourishing, wearing the color green became a
show of commitment to Ireland, Meagher said.

In 1962 the show of solidarity
took a spectacular turn in Chicago when the city decided to dye a portion of
the Chicago River green.

The tradition started when parade
organizer Steve Bailey, head of a plumbers union, noticed how a dye used to
trace possible sources of river pollution had stained a colleague's overalls a
brilliant green, according to greenchicagoriver.com.

Bailey thought, Why not use the
dye to turn the whole river green on St. Patrick's Day? So began the tradition.

The environmental impact of the
dye is minimal compared with pollution from sewage-treatment plants, Margaret
Frisbie, the executive director of the advocacy group Friends of the
Chicago River, said in 2010.

Rather than advising against the
dye, her group focuses on turning the Chicago River into a welcoming habitat
full of fish, herons, turtles, and beavers. If the river becomes a wildlife
haven, the thinking goes, Chicagoans won't want to dye their river green.

"Our hope is that, as the river continues to improve, ultimately
people can get excited about celebrating St. Patrick's Day different
ways," she said.

Excelsior Limousine wishes
everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  R-emember
to call us if you need a town car or SUV for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration—800-420-4252