Redmoon creates the Great Chicago Fire Festival neighborhood spectacles

Redmoon is well-known for its free, outdoor summer “spectacle” performances. This year Redmoon takes its creative inspiration from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 for 15 neighborhood festivals with free events and activities. The summer celebrations lead up to never-before-seen public Great Chicago Fire Festival -- River Bazaar and pyrotechnic Grand Spectacle -- on the main branch of the Chicago River, Saturday, October 4. 

The summer celebrations truly showcase Chicago’s talent. Redmoon partners with 38 civic and cultural organizations to make the 15 Great Chicago Fire Festival neighborhood celebrations possible. The 15 official Fire Festival Neighborhoods -- Albany Park, Austin, Avondale, Bronzeville, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Little Village, North Lawndale, Old Town, Pilsen, Roseland, South Chicago, South Shore, Uptown and Woodlawn – will engage residents and empower them through food, music and collaborative creation.

According to Redmoon, “In partnership with renowned photographer Sandro Miller, Redmoon has created its newest vehicle for civic celebration: a large trailer transformed into The Mobile Photo Factory, an interactive photo studio where everyday people can have beautiful portraits taken with a caption they write, showcasing their pride.”

In addition, “other Summer Celebration activities include Neighborhood Cookouts, where Redmoon brings into each neighborhood its newest functional party device, the 15-foot-tall and 15-foot-diameter Cyclone Grill, a spinning, bicycle-powered carousel with a total of nine Weber Grills in three elevated grilling stations plus a DJ station.  Over fresh and healthy creations prepared by local professional chefs under the culinary direction of Chef Julius Russell of A Tale of Two Chefs, Redmoon builds new relationships with community members.”

Redmoon continues its Open Art Builds when neighborhood festival participants decorate pieces for the Fire Sculptures, which will serve as centerpieces of the October 4 Grand Spectacle. This is a great opportunity for scout troops, church groups and others to help create unique artwork for the October 4 River Bazaar and Grand Spectacle.

For more information on the Great Chicago Fire Festival visit chicagofirefestival.com and for more information on Redmoon and its programs, visit www.redmoon.org.