November 20, 2013 – If your organization does not already have enough drama and spectacle, the theater company producing next year’s Great Chicago Fire Festival is looking for you.

Redmoon has issued a request for proposals to organizations – neighborhood groups, church groups, arts organizations, city offices, or any kind of casual group – to help promote the event.

The festival, which could happen every year, will take place throughout Chicago but at sunset on October 4, a procession of illuminated fiberglass sculptures (imagined above) will float like a fashion show down the main branch of the Chicago River between State Street and Columbus Drive.

Tens of thousands of people will be drawn to the river, predicts Redmoon. Another procession earlier in the day will span from Chinatown to Wacker Drive.

“The inaugural Great Chicago Fire Festival will introduce an annual urban ritual to Chicago in the form of a massive event celebrating Chicago’s powerful spirit of resilience,” read a news release on Tuesday.

In publicizing the request for proposals, Redmoon took the opportunity to clarify how the festival is being funded. While some money is coming from the City of Chicago and its Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, “the majority of funding for the festival will be raised by Redmoon from the private sector.”

The Boeing Company is one of those private sponsors. The festival also has a grant from ArtPlace America.

15 organizations chosen to participate will receive free arts programming but be expected to promote the festival to their networks – and each designate a representative to attend meetings and provide feedback.

• More info: Request for proposals
• Previous story: Former Steppenwolf producer to lead next year’s ‘fire festival’

(Left) A costume created for a Redmoon event this winter. Click on images to view larger versions.