Friends' Gone Fishin' Silent Auction - Big Fish Ball 2025

About Friends

Friends’ mission is to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. 

We are the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River system. 

Friends of the Chicago River was founded in 1979 after an article penned by Robert Cassidy called “Our Friendless River” appeared in Chicago Magazine. Inspired to take action on behalf of one of the city’s greatest natural resources, concerned citizens came together forming Friends of the Chicago River later that year.

Since our founding, Friends has carried out a myriad of planning initiatives and played a key role in changing how the City of Chicago and other municipalities treat the river in development ordinances and plans. This has led to a number of river-edge improvements including riverwalks and waterside parks that feature the Chicago River.

Today our work also includes policy initiatives geared towards improving the water quality of the river so that it can support native plants, fish and other wildlife, and a variety of recreational uses; on-the-ground projects that result in physical improvements and the preservation of quality habitat; and education and outreach programs that inform and inspire people to help revitalize the Chicago River. 

As a result, the Chicago River is becoming a haven for wildlife and a treasured community resource.

Learn more about Friends of the Chicago River and its work below. 

www.chicagoriver.org

Our Sponsors

Thank you to the many companies and individuals who sponsored Big Fish Ball 2025:

Rainbow Darter

Aon

McDermott, Will & Emery

Yellowstone Landscape

Sally Fletcher 

Ozinga

White Perch

Molson Coors

WM

Blue Gill

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Arcadis

CIBC

Clayco Inc.

Craig and Kate Coit 

Stacee Hasenbalg and Bahram Forouhi

Thomas and Barbara Honn

Daniel Kilduff and Ellen Fryda

Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC

March Manufacturing

Shedd Aquarium

Site Design

SOM

Stantec

Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership

Jo Trahms and Jeffrey Bartow

WealthPlanners, LLC

V3

We sincerely thank all of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated products, gift certificates, and services to our silent auction.

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Black Ensemble theater

Celebration River Cruises

Chicago Bears

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Chicago Fire Soccer Club

Chicago Navy Pier

Chicago Sports Museum

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Whitesox

Craig and Kate Coit

The Field Museum

Gene Siskel Film Center

Hornblower City Cruises

Jewels With A Purpose

Joffrey Ballet

Lettuce Entertain you

Lillstreet Art Center

Molson Coors

Music  of the Baroque

PRP Wine International

Susan Rodriguez

Chris Rogers

The Mix 101.9FM

Urban Kayaks

Ian Vechiotti

Whiskey Acres

Woodford Reserve

Zanies

How to Bid

The Chicago River system has done so much for us. 

This event is proud to use Mobile Bidding for the silent auction. Bidding is easier than ever: Check at the space directed above with your phone or email. Once you have checked in you will receive a welcome text message with a link or a code. Simply tap on the link, or enter the code on the webpage if you are using a computer. This will take you to your confirmation page.

Place bids in seconds.

Either sscroll through and browse items or tap MENU to search or filter items. Once you find an item you wish to bid on, simply tap Bid/Info, More/Buy or Donate to bid, buy, or donate. From there you simply choose an amount and we'll do the rest.

What if I am outbid?!

We keep track of your bids for you and once you have been outbid we'll immediately send a text message to your phone and show you an on-screen alert. You can easily jump back into your account and make sure you don't miss out.

Watch your bids like a pro.

You won't miss a beat with your bidding history filters which show you items you are winning, watching, and losing. We keep this page focused on the items you're interested in so you don't get distracted and lose an item. You can find your filters under the MENU button.

Help!!

If you ever need help you can email gdrennen@chicagoriver.org to remove a bid or look up items. 

Leaderboard

Thank you for taking the time to bid on these items. Please consider patronizing the businesses and people who made these generous donations.

Please note: Friends is charged a processing fee for all credit card purchases. Please consider chipping in at the time of checkout to help cover the cost of these fees. Thank you!

Auction Details:

1. If you wish to bid online, this will be possible until the silent auction closes on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ClickBid will keep track of all bids online and at the silent auction until auction closing so you can continue to bid online as others bid.
2. To bid on an item, click on a category in the left sidebar. After going to the category page, all the items for that category will be displayed. Click on the magnifying glass icon to see a description of the item and to bid on it.
3. There is a “buy it now” option for each item so you can buy the item immediately and not take a chance that you will be outbid. First come, wins!
4. If you have ever bid on ClickBid before and you remember your sign-in name and password, you can re-use it. If not, create a new account.
5. If you require shipping, you will be billed for shipping costs once we know the final cost.
6. All sales are final. We can’t offer refunds or exchanges. Specific rules such as expiration dates and other restrictions might apply.

Item Pickup:

1. All items must be picked up in person within 30 days of auction close at Friends of the Chicago River. Friends will make arrangements to help you including curbside pickup, or drop-off in the Loop. 
2. If you are from out of state, some items can be shipped. Make arrangements to have your package mailed to you by contacting gdrennen@chicagoriver.org