While many places celebrate St. Patrick's Day (and quite well, I might add), no one does it quite like Chicago.

Not only does Chicago have a unique St. Patrick's Day parade, it also does something very unique: they dye the Chicago River green in honor of the holiday.

So put on your green, grab a pint and get ready for St. Patrick's Day in beautiful Chicago, Illinois.

It sounds wacky, but it's been a Chicago tradition for the past 40 years. Every year, around St. Patrick's Day, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers suit up and take up the task of making sure that the Chicago River doesn't receive a holiday pinch.

Of course, there's all kinds of rumors surrounding a certain leprechaun and how this certain leprechaun has something to do with the coloring of the river, but the leprechaun couldn't be contacted for a statement.

This year, the river will be dyed green on Saturday, March 15th, starting at 10:45 a.m.

Coinciding with the dyeing of the river is Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

This famed parade takes place on the same Saturday as the river "event" at noon. The parade's route begins at Columbus and Balbo and then continues north to Monroe.

The parade takes place no matter what the weather - be it rain, sleet, snow, hail or cats and dogs.

Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade is also televised nationwide on WGN. So, while you might be used to tuning into WGN on Saturday mornings and catching reruns of Cosby, don't be surprised if you see a sea of people dressed in green and ill-fitting shamrock glasses as a marching bang plays Irish Eyes Are Smiling.

Note: you may be tempted to adjust the color on your television set. Don't. Trust me, it's real.

Want your own stake in that sea of green? Have dreams of waving to Mom as you wear glasses that look like beer mugs?

Then you need to contact St. Patrick's Day Parade committee. They're kinda old fashioned and all, so you're probably going to have to call them. And you'll probably not win any points by doing a bad fake Irish accent when you call.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee of Chicago