Start Your Bids! Big Fish Ball Silent Auction is Open

Our Gone Fishin’ silent auction of the Big Fish Ball is open. The silent online auction offers more than 60 items including gorgeous vacation packages in the Berkshires, Tuscany, Iceland, Madrid, and Bali. Other special items include fun Chicago entertainment packages to Zanies comedy club, the Black Ensemble Theater, and more. A raffle for a special Oris Watch – an all-mechanical timepiece, featuring a dial made from recycled ocean plastic pollution – will also be held at the gala event.

Peruse silent auction items now at bigfishball2023.cbo.io and start bidding!

The 16th Annual Big Fish Ball – our largest fundraising event of the year – brings together hundreds of Friends’ supporters, partners, and civic leaders at the Westin Chicago River North hotel overlooking the Chicago River. Also at the gala event, Friends will honor the recipients of the Chicago River Blue Awards, which celebrate the highest achievement in river-sensitive designs for the protection and improvement of the Chicago-Calumet River system and surrounding watersheds. The evening will conclude with a beautiful After Party Cruise on the Chicago River.

“We are buzzing with excitement for this year’s Big Fish Ball,” said Annie Hanrahan, develop of director for Friends of the Chicago River. “We have incredible sponsors, amazing engagement with elected officials, fantastic leadership, and a few surprises planned. The gala will be filled with innovators and game changers who value the environment and the communities that comprise the Chicago-Calumet River system.”

A special thank you to our Big Fish Ball sponsors including our Presenting Sponsor McDermott Will & Emery whose generosity makes the celebration possible.