Lucy (left) and Charger, two California sea lions, received shamrock-shaped treats on St. Patrick’s Day at Brookfield Zoo. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

At least one St. Patrick’s Day tradition is alive and well in these topsy-turvy times. Animals at Brookfield Zoo received special shamrock-shaped treats on Tuesday.

Chicagoans are getting creative when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the shadow of COVID-19. (Torbakhopper / Flickr)

Neighbors in Bucktown suggested hanging shamrocks in windows for a DIY scavenger hunt, and Lincoln Square grabbed onto the idea. Who else wants in?

The Chicago River flowed green on its North Branch, as seen from Kedzie Avenue. (Patty Wetli / WTTW)

The annual dyeing of the river was canceled downtown, but the waterway flowed emerald green on its North Branch.

(Max Talbot-Minkin / Flickr)

Major weekend events celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago have been postponed due concerns over the novel coronavirus. To date, 25 people have tested positive for the virus in Illinois.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at the process and history of dyeing the Chicago River green – a city tradition since 1962, and a family tradition since its inception. Meet the men who turn the river bright green each year in this story originally told by John Callaway on March 17, 2004.

Dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day has been a city tradition since 1962. And it’s been a family tradition since its inception. Meet the men who turn the river bright green each year as we revisit our March 17, 2004 story.