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Did you know the Chicago River is dyed green on St Patrick’s Day?

It’s hard to miss it…
It’s hard to miss it… It’s hard to miss it…

The United States of America has long embraced St Patrick’s Day, and the Chicago River is perhaps one of the best examples of that.

Dyeing the river green is a tradition dating back to the early 1960s, and these days thousands gather to watch the colouring take place.

The Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate St Patrick's Day
The Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate St Patrick's Day (James Foster/AP) (James Foster/AP/PA Images)

The river is dyed green on the Saturday preceding each St Patrick’s Day, unless the holiday falls on a Saturday as it has done in 2018.

Another boat follows the dye to help spread it out.

Boats move through the water as the Chicago River is dyed green for St Patrick's Day
Boats move through the water as the Chicago River is dyed green for St Patrick's Day (Erin Hooley/AP) (Erin Hooley/AP/PA Images)

The river apparently takes around 45 minutes to turn completely green, depending on the direction of the wind.

A boat move through the water as the Chicago River is dyed green for St Patrick's Day
A boat move through the water as the Chicago River is dyed green for St Patrick's Day (Erin Hooley/AP) (Erin Hooley/AP/PA Images)

A parade is also held as the people of Chicago celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Two people take a photo in front of the green Chicago River on St Patrick's Day
Two people take a photo in front of the green Chicago River on St Patrick's Day (James Foster/AP) (James Foster/AP/PA Images)

Anyone else think it looks like the Incredible Hulk has just taken a bath?