July 22nd, 2017 – Full Lighting

This event is being sponsored by Amica Insurance and Fidelity Investments.

July 22nd, 2017 – Full Lighting

Sunset: 8:14 p.m.
Lighting time: 8:34 p.m.
The fires will remain lit until 12:30 a.m.
Music Program

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All Full WaterFire installations light up over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park on the below scheduled evenings. Lighting occurs shortly after sunset and the event continues until half past midnight.

WaterFire Providence welcomes back sponsors Amica Insurance and Fidelity Investments.

“Amica Insurance is proud to once again sponsor WaterFire Providence,” said Patti Genovese, lead sponsorship coordinator in Amica’s corporate communications department. “This amazing event has become a Rhode Island tradition, and our employees are happy to lend their support in any way they can, whether it’s through volunteering or by attending with their families.”

“We are celebrating a 15-year sponsor partnership with Fidelity Investments by distributing Japanese origami cranes hand-folded by Fidelity employees to all WaterFire guests,” said John Muggeridge, Vice President of Public Affairs for Fidelity Investments. “These cranes are a symbol of peace, fidelity and longevity. Be sure to visit the Fidelity crane tent, and check out the illuminated blue neon cranes guiding the WaterFire boats through the rivers!” Fidelity’s crane folding tent will be located near the WWI Memorial close to the corner of College Street and North Main Street.

Before the lighting enjoy Shakespeare en el Verano (Shakespeare in the Summer) on the Basin Stage

Starting at 6:00 p.m. on the Basin Stage in Waterplace Park Trinity Repertory Company, in partnership with Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA), will be performing a new bilingual English-Spanish adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet by Brown/Trinity Rep MFA student Marcelo Mascaro. Mascaro co-directs the new adaption featuring contemporary Spanish, new music and a new cast with Trinity Rep associate artistic director Tyler Dobrowsky. Romeo and Juliet will tour throughout Providence from July 7th – July 31st, 2017. This performance is free and open to the public.

A free performance from advanced students of Festival Ballet Providence Summer Dance Intensive

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. enjoy a free performance from advanced students of Festival Ballet Providence Summer Dance Intensive at WaterFire Providence including the return of excerpts from “The Firebird” in addition to a wide range of dance styles, from contemporary to ballet to flamenco, with world premiere choreography from Danielle Davidson, Adrienne Hawkins, and Alex Lantz. The program will culminate with the “Infernal Dance” section of The Firebird, immediately followed by the vibrant finale of Stravinsky’s iconic ballet as the WaterFire braziers are lit throughout the Providence waterfront.

Clear Currents – WaterFire’s community paddling event returns to the rivers of Providence!

Starting just after the WaterFire lighting ceremony (8:34 p.m.), canoeists and kayakers from around the community will paddle up and down the river with illuminated Japanese koi fish mounted to their vessels, in schools beautifully complementing the burning braziers. WaterFire Providence and the Narragansett Bay Commission have partnered to present this year’s Clear Currents community paddling event. Clear Currents incorporates close to 60 illuminated Japanese koi (fish) temporarily mounted on canoes and kayaks that registered participants will paddle up and down the river after sunset. The light from these brightly colored fish will beautifully compliment the 80 wood burning braziers installed on the river! Clear Currents commemorates the opening of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Combined Sewer Overflow; an initiative that has greatly improved water quality throughout the bay area.

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza, in partnership with Bryce Studio, returns to Washington Street for the 2017 WaterFire Providence season. The Arts Festival Plaza and will be active from 6:00 – 11:30 p.m. This outdoor artisan fair will showcase some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island in mediums such as glass, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more. The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza will offer visitors the opportunity to purchase artwork by Rhode Island-based artists.

Grab a bite to eat! Visit one of our great food vendors:

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Washington Street

• Sweet Smokin’ Pits
• Saugy’s
• Ray’s Mini Melts
• Dudley’s
• Umelt
• Kettle Korn Express

On the River Walk between College and Washington Streets

• Frenchy’s Popcorn
• The Nutty Bavarian

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College Street

• Taste of India
• Parkside Rotisserie & Bar

Steeple Street

• Fat Belly’s Irish Pub

Waterplace Park Basin

• Little Bitte Artisanal Cocktails

Various Locations:

• Del’s Lemonade

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Visit Starry, Starry Night

The Starry, Starry Night Installation will shine brightly in Memorial Park. Join thousands of WaterFire visitors in Memorial Park where the public is encouraged to add their own light to the night. For a small donation to WaterFire, make a wish upon a star or place your very own message and luminaria candle lantern in the park. The park will be aglow with hanging blue stars and a constellation of twinkling luminaria candle lanterns below.

WaterFire’s favorite characters are back!

Fire Dancers Julia Jerome and Benjamin Reynolds will dazzle the crowds during several performances throughout the evening at the confluence, on boats, and on the wall of braziers near Memorial Park.

Mime artist Michael Grando will return again for this event. Be sure to catch Michael, in costume as the Commedia dell’arte character Pierrot, as he cruises the river tossing carnations to visitors along the shore.

Origami Master Andrew Anselmo will delight crowds of all ages near the RISD auditorium.

Charge up with National Grid

Make sure you can capture the magic of WaterFire all evening long by visiting National Grid charging station on the Washington Street Bridge to recharge your smartphone and other mobile devices during the lighting.

Step back through history at the Governor Stephen Hopkins House

Make time to see The Governor Stephen Hopkins House located at 15 Hopkins Street (off Benefit Street). They are open for tours: Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. and April through November on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & until 10:00 p.m., when they fall on a full WaterFire lighting (the last tour begins at 9:30 p.m.).

Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

The museum is also open by appointment, for which there may be a modest admission charge. Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.

About the author

Tim Blankenship

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I've worked at WaterFire Providence since 2003. For the first 9 years of my career, I worked in the Production Shop learning all of the details that go into the physical production of the event. In 2012 transitioned to the role of managing WaterFire's social media and web presence. I now head up WaterFire Providence's digital projects including, web, social, databases, and our physical IT infrastructure.

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