Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― It doesn't matter who you are, everyone's Irish and green this weekend.

And that includes the Chicago River. The Chicago River was dyed green at 10:45 a.m. For over 40 years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers have turned a portion of the river emerald green. It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without the traditional dying of the river. Saturday, the crew loaded up the "secret powder" and turned the water Kelly green.

Hundreds lined the riverbanks to celebrate what is probably the most colorful and most "Chicago" of St. Patrick's Day traditions.

Clear skies, bag pipes, and plenty of sunshine – it's been a long time since we've had that combination for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

And parade goers were more than happy about the warm weather.

"It's just nice to have all family here and the weather is great, so that's nice as well,' said one parade attendee.

Approximately 400,000 people attended Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade, which filled Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe, according to Cindy Gatziolis, from the Mayor's Office of Special Events.

Leprechauns, puppies, and babies – everyone lined Balbo for the parade. As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the event is a family tradition.

The bands were marching; the Jesse White Tumblers performed; and musicians played bagpipes at Chicago's downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Among those lining the parade route was a woman with a very special story. Her name is Sally Kinney and she showed CBS 2 her family's history with the parade.

Kinney's uncle, Pat Kinney, will be 92 on St. Patrick's Day. He typically attends the event every year, but Kinney says this is the first parade he's missed in recent years. But Kinney did bring a picture of Pat along with her to Saturday's event. She said by having uncle Pat's portrait with her, he's still here.

"Yes, unfortunately, uncle Pat had to stay in the hospital today," Kinney said. "He wanted to be in this parade."

Kinney says throughout his life, her uncle Pat has loved taking part in Chicago parades. Kinney also has a picture of her dad and uncle in the parade supporting Mayor Daley back in the day.

Kinney says both men were marching in a South Side Parade during the 50's with the late Mayor Richard J. Daley.

His son, Mayor Richard M. Daley, was in awe, when he saw the photo.

"That's a beautiful picture," Daley said. "Wow! Thank you!"

"I know he loved his dad and I love my dad and my uncles," Kinney said.

Kinney told Daley she will make a copy of her family photo, so he can have it as a keepsake too.

And next to the elections themselves, the annual parade may be the biggest thing on the calendars of local politicians.

The is always political positioning on the line and this year, Illinois' newest governor, Pat Quinn, waved to the crowd alongside new senator Roland Burris.

Sunday, everyone gets up and does it all over again on the South Side. Chicago's South Side Irish Parade steps off down Western Avenue at noon. 
The celebration begins with mass at St. Cajetan Church at 112th and Artesian. Approximately 250,000 people are expected to attend, between 10,000 and 15,000 of whom are expected to march in the parade.

The parade will head south along Western Avenue, finishing a mile-and-a-half later at 115th Street and Western Avenue.

The best way to get around to all the events is public transportation. Free trolley service is available all weekend. The red trolleys will be running from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, stopping at Water Tower park and going to 720 S. Michigan Ave. Sunday trolleys will be stopping at the 103rd, 107th and 111th street Metra stations and going to the South Side Irish parade route.

For more information on the St. Patrick's Day Parade, click here.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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