St. Patrick’s Day: All about NYC’s parade and the Chicago River dyeing

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of America’s favorite holidays. While in the past it was exclusively a religious celebration of Ireland’s patron saint —celebrated mostly by Irish immigrants— many now see it as the perfect excuse to drink alcohol, but also to enjoy one of the world’s largest parades and other eye-catching tributes to Irish culture.

During a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the White House, President Donald Trump accused Ireland of taking advantage of the United States, particularly for its tax policies that attract U.S. pharmaceutical companies. Irish taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke about the mutually beneficial trade relationship, including Irish companies creating jobs in the U.S. and significant aircraft purchases of Boeing. Martin returned to the White House in the evening to present Trump with a bowl of shamrocks. They also attended an annual luncheon on Capitol Hill as part of the festivities.

This year, St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated on Monday, March 17. Below, we clear up some of the most common questions about the holiday and talk more about the New York parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River.

When is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 each year, being the traditional date of the death of St. Patrick, Ireland’s best-known patron saint.

How was St. Patrick’s Day established?

According to the Church of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day became a Christian holiday during the 17th century. Originally, it was observed only by the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Lutheran church, but now it is a general holiday that does not necessarily involve religion.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York

The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest parade in the world and one of the most crowded. The first was held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed.

The parade is held on the same day as St. Patrick’s Day. If March 17 falls on a Sunday, the parade is moved to Saturday the 16th, to avoid crossing with religious ceremonies.

The parade is held in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York. From its earliest days to the present day, the parade is made up entirely of volunteers, many of whom are from families who have spent generations devoting months to organizing the parade, which is billed as the largest and oldest in the world.

According to the parade’s official website, the largest parade in history was held in 2002 in honor of the heroes who responded to the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. That year, 300,000 people attended, and three million spectators watched across Fifth Avenue. That was also the first time the parade was overseen by Ireland’s then-President Mary McAleese.

What time does the St. Patrick’s Day parade start in New York?

The parade starts at exactly 11 a.m., and its route runs along Fifth Avenue, beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th Street. On its way it passes by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, attends the event.

According to the official website, approximately 150,000 people march in the parade, which also attracts the attention of about two million spectators around the world.

Where is the best place to stand during the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

The parade can be viewed from anywhere along Fifth Avenue. The closer you are, the better you will be able to see the parade. For this, it is recommended to arrive early. There is no specific time, but it is best to arrive during the early hours of the day.

Can the parade be cancelled due to bad weather?

Throughout its history, the parade has never been cancelled due to weather conditions and has marched in different types of weather. If bad weather is forecast, it is recommended to come prepared.

What streets are closed during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

• Fifth Avenue between 42nd and 86th Streets
• Madison Avenue between 63rd and 64th Streets
• Madison Avenue between 78th and 86th Streets
• Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd and 46th Streets
• 43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 47th Street between Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 48th Street between Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue
• 62nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 63rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 64th Street between Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue
• 72nd Street between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue
• 78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 79th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 80th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 81st Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 82nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 83rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 84th Street between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue
• 85th Street between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue

Chicago River Dyeing

While in New York the focus is on the parade, in Chicago people look forward to seeing how the Chicago River is dyed green during this celebration, resulting in its waters being an emerald green.

The Chicago River dyeing began in 1962 at the suggestion of a local plumbers union, and has become one of the most famous local events. This is usually done on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, using a special paint that lasts only a few hours (as opposed to the beginning, when it lasted up to a month).

It is not known precisely what the formula for dyeing the water consists of, as the organizers keep it a secret. However, it is said to be environmentally friendly and does not affect the water.