Tafia gets Chicago lit up for St David’s Day
A WELSH Society in Chicago pulled off a coup by having several iconic buildings in the city lit up for St David’s Day.
The Chicago Tafia Welsh Society was formed in 1999 and every year since 2009 have had the tower of the city’s famed Wrigley building lit up on March 1. However, this year the society had a further three city landmarks illuminated to celebrate the patron saint of Wales.
The society also launched an online fundraiser to throw a party and to their surprise they received a generous donation from Hollywood film star Michael Sheen.
Society chairman Dave Parry, who is originally from Aberystwyth and moved to Chicago in 1998, said: “We have had the tower of the Wrigley Building Illuminated white, red and green on St David’s Day since 2009. Last year I applied to have St David’s Day to be recognised by the Chicago BOMA Building Lighting Program. We received approval in January and starting contacting the management companies of various buildings in Chicago.
“The Wrigley Building, Two Prudential Plaza, The Inter Continental Hotel and the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier all agreed to light up for the night.
“Other buildings in Chicago have agreed to light up next year.
“In addition, we also had St David’s Day messages and music by Welsh artists played on four Chicago area radio stations during the day.”
Around 40 members of the society, the largest in America, gathered at the London House Hilton on the Chicago river for a St David’s Day Party.