The inaugural Great Chicago Fire Festival presented by the amazingly creative and talented people at the Redmoon Theater had a lot of promise conceptually. An event meant to “unite Chicago’s neighborhoods and celebrate Chicago’s grit, greatness and renewal following the fire of 1871…Redmoon partnered with over 30 community-based organizations across 15 neighborhoods, bringing out its unique machinery and theatrical skill in an unprecedented city-wide conversation on overcoming and celebrating.” Aside from never really getting a fire going, which despite knowing nothing of pyrotechnics seems like it would be the easy part, there were some kinks to work out for next time in regards to a lot of things – crowd management, variety of displays/performers/vendors, flow of the ceremony itself…
The in-your-face fireworks echoing through the Chicago River corridor were pretty spectacular though, so props for that.
One of three pre-1871 style houses floating along the river, prior to the fire ceremony.
Children climb on an art piece in Pioneer Court.
Spectators on railings (also lamp posts, trash cans, and other dangerous and hard-to-reach areas) just trying to get a view.
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There’s a flame in there somewhere…
Putting out the fire.
Fireworks – highlight of the evening.
I Was There 