On Thursday, October 26th the Chicago Maritime Museum celebrated its fourth annual CMMFestival. Between guests who joined online and in-person, nearly 100 attendees raised $98,000 to support the museum, our programming, and our upcoming exhibits. It was a wonderful experience to see so many supporting the museum and the history we are keeping alive for generations of Chicagoans.
A highlight for both at home and in-person guests were our spectacular co-hosts, Barry Butler and Tom Kastle. From photographing our waterways to singing about them, the two could not have been more emblematic of the kinds of people who are brought together by the museum and the kinds of conversations we inspire. Seeing Barry's beautiful photographs in his new book and hearing Tom and his fiddler friend Daithi Wolfe bring the gallery to life with music was a treat for attendees.
Volunteers had a hand in every part of the festival's success. Kath Thomas, Sari Breslin, George Kisiel and Mary Alyce Blum decorated the gallery to the nautical nines, turning our yardarm into a dramatic backdrop for the buffet. Thank you, Sari, for the added touch of burgees representing every Chicago yacht club. With Kath's delightful menu, elegant presentation and team of helpers including Betsy and Mark Perrine, Chuck Perry, Nancy Michael and Pat O'Shea, CMMFestival may be the most sophisticated event to take place on the shores of Bubbly Creek. A mini Taste of Chicago, the buffet dinner featured Chicago-sourced products including Vegan Spring Rolls from Maly's of Naperville served with Chilee Oils of Chicago and Pork Tenderloins spiced with Herbally Yours Hunan Blend of Willow Springs.
Museum Manager Ariana Rubin was instrumental both onscreen and off, keeping the event running smoothly while also explaining how the paddle raise worked and introducing the paddle raise's $100 level. Museum assistants Garrett Walinske and Dante Petersen oversaw the Front Desk and the Zoom respectively, welcoming all guests, in-person and virtual. Jim Forni and his entire staff ensured the event was just as much fun for the people watching at home. David and Sarah Metzger, Valerie Van Heest and Mary Ann O'Rourke served as our Zoom hosts, greeting our virtual guests as they arrived. They were also the judges of our virtual scavenger hunt. Congratulations to the three winners of our virtual hunt and to our in-person scavenger hunt raffle winner!
Thank you to Captain Dave Truitt, Vice Chairman Dr. Jerry Thomas, all our volunteers, our Board of Directors, everyone who generously gave to support our museum, and everyone who attended either in-person or online. You made the 2023 Festival such a success! At the festival, our supporters and this incredible community brought us all the way to $98,000, only $2,000 dollars away from our goal. These funds help support exhibitions, programming, education, collections, and every other part of the Chicago Maritime Museum. If you'd like to help us reach our goal before the end of the year, you can visit our website for more information on how to give.
A highlight for both at home and in-person guests were our spectacular co-hosts, Barry Butler and Tom Kastle. From photographing our waterways to singing about them, the two could not have been more emblematic of the kinds of people who are brought together by the museum and the kinds of conversations we inspire. Seeing Barry's beautiful photographs in his new book and hearing Tom and his fiddler friend Daithi Wolfe bring the gallery to life with music was a treat for attendees.
Volunteers had a hand in every part of the festival's success. Kath Thomas, Sari Breslin, George Kisiel and Mary Alyce Blum decorated the gallery to the nautical nines, turning our yardarm into a dramatic backdrop for the buffet. Thank you, Sari, for the added touch of burgees representing every Chicago yacht club. With Kath's delightful menu, elegant presentation and team of helpers including Betsy and Mark Perrine, Chuck Perry, Nancy Michael and Pat O'Shea, CMMFestival may be the most sophisticated event to take place on the shores of Bubbly Creek. A mini Taste of Chicago, the buffet dinner featured Chicago-sourced products including Vegan Spring Rolls from Maly's of Naperville served with Chilee Oils of Chicago and Pork Tenderloins spiced with Herbally Yours Hunan Blend of Willow Springs.
Museum Manager Ariana Rubin was instrumental both onscreen and off, keeping the event running smoothly while also explaining how the paddle raise worked and introducing the paddle raise's $100 level. Museum assistants Garrett Walinske and Dante Petersen oversaw the Front Desk and the Zoom respectively, welcoming all guests, in-person and virtual. Jim Forni and his entire staff ensured the event was just as much fun for the people watching at home. David and Sarah Metzger, Valerie Van Heest and Mary Ann O'Rourke served as our Zoom hosts, greeting our virtual guests as they arrived. They were also the judges of our virtual scavenger hunt. Congratulations to the three winners of our virtual hunt and to our in-person scavenger hunt raffle winner!
Thank you to Captain Dave Truitt, Vice Chairman Dr. Jerry Thomas, all our volunteers, our Board of Directors, everyone who generously gave to support our museum, and everyone who attended either in-person or online. You made the 2023 Festival such a success! At the festival, our supporters and this incredible community brought us all the way to $98,000, only $2,000 dollars away from our goal. These funds help support exhibitions, programming, education, collections, and every other part of the Chicago Maritime Museum. If you'd like to help us reach our goal before the end of the year, you can visit our website for more information on how to give.
Missed a CMMFestival?
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CMMFestival 2023
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CMMFestival 2022
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CMMFestival 2021
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CMMFestival 2020
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Chicago Maritime Museum is a 501(C)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under Tax ID 36-3205719
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Chicago Maritime Museum
1200 W 35th St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-1982
1200 W 35th St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-1982