Chicago, Illinois (The Riverwalk)
My Guesses for Chicago's Secret Green River Dye
Chicago turned its river green again for St. Patrick's Day. The recipe is a secret. I have some guesses.
Chicago turned its river green for St. Patrick’s Day again. The plumbers union has done it for more than 60 years. Boats sprinkle a powder, and in about an hour the river is bright green. The recipe is a secret. They’ll only say it’s vegetable-based. I have guesses.
My Guesses
- Spinach. Vegetable-based and very green. Possibly all the spinach in Illinois.
- Peas. Thousands of peas, mashed by the plumbers themselves. Hard work. Respect.
- Broccoli. The little trees would float down the river. Very festive.
- Kale. Nobody wants kale. The river doesn’t want it either. Ruled out.
- Lime jelly. Not a vegetable, I know. But the river would wobble, and I’d pay to see that.
Their Reply
I sent my guesses to the plumbers union. They said the recipe is still a secret. I told them I’m excellent with secrets. They said that’s exactly why they weren’t telling me.
The river stays its brightest green for a few hours, then fades. My guesses will last much longer. Next St. Patrick’s Day, I’ll bring a spoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the dye safe?
The city and the union say it's environmentally safe, and the color fades on its own. I asked about my shoes. No comment.
Why do plumbers do it?
Long ago, plumbers used green dye to spot illegal waste flowing into the river. Then someone had a festive idea. A great idea. I wish I'd had it.