The Windy City stays busy no matter what time of year. Whether it is -5 degrees or over 85 degrees, the sidewalks stay packed, and the traffic keeps moving. Though many cities celebrate the so-called “common” holidays more than others, there are cities out there that take the “smaller” holidays into consideration. The time of year has arrived, and St. Patrick’s Day is here. Wear that green, buckle those seat belts, and make the drive up to one of the many places that celebrate this holiday so deeply, Chicago, IL.
St. Patrick’s Day has been a deeply celebrated holiday in Chicago for over 175 years. Choose Chicago says, “The first celebrations occurred in 1843. The city began hosting a parade each year.” Nearly 100 years later, the city began its biggest, and most well-known tradition, dyeing the Chicago River a vibrant green. Down the street, you can hear the loud, squeaking bagpipes making their way down Monroe Street. Chicagoans take this tradition very seriously, going so far as to wear crazy outfits, dyeing their hair green, and never being afraid of embarrassment. Throughout these celebrations, many other traditions arose such as riverboat cruises down the gorgeously pigmented pool of green, festive foods, and other merrymaking. Chicago is one of many cities that celebrate this holiday to such an extreme.
Indianapolis, Indiana also celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with its annual “Greening the Canal” celebration. Many people gather in downtown Indianapolis to witness this tradition and celebrate. It is definitely something fascinating to witness, and something worth making the drive for. There are many places and people all around the Chicago and Indianapolis areas that gather to celebrate, and have some fun on St. Patrick’s Day with friends and loved ones.
Although the drive could have been an issue for many when it came to deciding which location they chose, the weather was also something many people were worried about. This past weekend, many huge weather storms swept through Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. There were tornado watches all across the states, with tornadoes touching down, and many thunderstorms. Although Chicago is known as the “Windy City” because of its nearby waterways and Lake Michigan, ABC News stated the winds were up to 60 mph on the day of the celebrations. Many people were expecting the weather to be warm, welcoming, and perfect for the festivities, but when they arrived, it was harsh, bitter, and the opposite of what they packed for. People showed up in their kilts and short sleeves but went home with goosebumps and sniffly noses.
In future years of celebrating this fun, cultured, and oddly specific holiday, people will continue to make their way to their favorite locations with their friends and loved ones and dance their way through St. Patrick’s Day. Make sure to wear green to avoid getting pinched and getting bad luck by one of the thousands of people who take this holiday so seriously. Take weather into consideration when packing, and make sure to hold on to your hat, because even if the wind is blowing, the festivities will push through!
