On the second Saturday every March, more than a quarter of Chicago gathers downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The annual run of the red heads, lively music, and the iconic green river make it one of the most popular festivities in the north shore.

When we got word that we were able to cover the parade, we couldn’t wait to jump on the opportunity. We set our alarms, mapped where we were heading, and got ready to take on the city-wide experience.

We decided to leave early to catch the 9:30 train at the Deerfield train station, knowing that it was going to be crowded. People flooded the station in bunches, all wearing green outfits. While there was nowhere to sit down on the train due to how crowded it was, we mingled with others who were equally as ecstatic about the parade.

The vast variety of people we encountered on the train were young Gen-Z’ers looking to have a good time with their friends, with a few families and young children in attendance. As we got off the train, we were stunned by a mob of greenery. Green clothing, green street stands, green drinks, and most importantly, the shining green river.

Since 1962, the dyeing of the Chicago River has been one of Chicago’s most long-standing traditions. Originating from Beverly, a traditionally Irish enclave, every St Patrick’s Day, the Chicago River would turn a bright green hue, making it a widespread tourist attraction for all.

First, we went to the Michigan Avenue Bridge to take pictures with our friends. While we decided to walk the Riverwalk, we saw a plethora of people riding boats across the green Chicago River, enjoying drinks and food. We decided that next year, when we saved enough money, we would try that unique experience for ourselves.

Walking across the city, the streets were flooded with traditional Irish celebrations. The celebration that caught our eye the most was undoubtedly the troops of Irish step dancers parading down the street to the tune of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, the city’s premier Irish band, who’ve been leading the parade since 1956. The energy from the band and the liveliness of everyone around us electrified the atmosphere, making it an unforgettable experience.

Overall, the experience was incredibly fulfilling for both of us. We learned a lot about Irish culture, but most importantly, we had a bunch of fun being in the vicinity of all the happy Chicagoans enjoying their beloved St. Patrick’s Day.