Hours ahead of today’s Cubs World Series parade starting at Wrigley and ending with a rally in Grant Park, downtown Chicago is showing its Cubbie pride as volunteer crews began adding blue dye to the main branch of the Chicago River around 7:15 AM. Though not quite as visible as the radioactive-colored but environmentally friendly dye used each year to turn the river green for St. Patrick’s Day, the effect is still noticeable to the thousands of Cubs fans who have lined Michigan Avenue since early this morning.
While it may be all cheers and high-fives for fans, not everyone is pumped about the introduction of more chemicals into the aquatic habitat. According to the Chicago Tribune, Friend’s of the Chicago River advocacy group voiced concerns over the environmental impact of the practice. The group’s executive director Margaret Frisbie warned against setting a future precent for the city to color the river for every celebration.
- Chicago River is dyed blue for Cubs celebration [Chicago Tribune]
- Friday’s Cubs World Series Parade: Start time, route, and more [Curbed Chicago]