Big Fish Ball
BIG FISH BALL
n Thursday, June 8, 2006, the Big Fish Ball took place at one of the most unique venues in the City - the downtown riverwalk. The sold out event was Friends of the Chicago River’s first-ever gala fundraiser and exceeded net income goals by 25%!
The centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind event was the gala preview opening of Friends’ new McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Other highlights included fine dining, live music, an appearance and address by Mayor Richard M. Daley, and an on-the-water performance spectacle by “astounding circus punk marching band” Mucca Pazza. They captivated guests from 14 canoes paddled by Friends’ volunteer canoe guides. The downtown riverwalk between Michigan Avenue and Wabash, our backdrop for the Big Fish Ball, provided breath-taking views of the City skyline and Main Stem of the Chicago River.
Some of Chicago’s most prominent and diverse leaders in the civic and corporate communities were among the 300 guests who attended the Big Fish Ball. The Boeing Company was presenting sponsor.
“LaSalle Bank was delighted to support the Big Fish Ball. This inaugural event treated guests to a unique, fun, memorable evening. From a great riverwalk location, we enjoyed some novel entertainment, including a performance by a marching band in canoes! Our thanks go to the Friends of the Chicago River and all its supporters, for helping preserve one of our city’s natural treasures.”
— LaSalle Bank, event sponsor
“We have never been to any event like it. Our firm’s guests, including colleagues and clients, loved the location, food, and performances. As Mayor Daley stated in his remarks, the river is an asset in the same league with the lakefront. Thanks to the Big Fish Ball, the list of the Chicago River’s many friends is growing. We are glad to be counted among them.”
— Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella. P.C., event sponsor
The event was such a success that Friends plans to do it again in 2007! Look for more about next year’s Big Fish Ball on this website in the coming months.
Please contact Suellen Burns, Director of Development, at (312) 939-0490, ext. 19, or sburns@chicagoriver.org for additional information.
The Big Fish Ball music program was developed in partnership with Fig Media.
Special thanks to Michelle Woods and the Chicago Department of Transportation; Cathy Hudzik and the Office of Mayor Daley; Roz Hecim and the Office of Alderman Natarus; Anne Roosevelt; Jim Boardman; Samantha Bell; Tyler Baumann; Hank Hoes; Jessica Sprengel; Dave Rigg, Tom Judge, Chris Parson, Mark Sorteberg and Friends’ canoe guides; James Gustin; Jennifer Marjorie Johnston; Tom Hodge; Bob Long; Erin McKenna Nowak; Goose Island Beer Company; our remarkable Big Fish Ball Honorary Committee and Gala Committee members; and all of the outstanding Friends of the Chicago River volunteers who contributed making to the event a success. And a very special thanks to our evening’s sponsors, whose support made the Big Fish Ball possible.
