This event is being sponsored by Providence College: 100 Years of Light – Celebrating a Century of Values that Endure
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May 19th, 2017 – Full Lighting
Sunset: 8:03 p.m.
Lighting time: 8:30 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.
Prior to lighting, the Providence College performance group I Cantori, directed by TJ Harper, will perform on Waterplace Basin stage. Performance begins at 7:15 p.m.
“Celebrating ‘Providence College: 100 years of Light, WaterFire Providence’ is PC’s way of thanking, not only the City of Providence, but the entire state of Rhode Island, for the many partnerships that have been forged over the years for the benefit of the statewide community. Since the galvanizing power of WaterFire always seems to bring diverse people together in a spirit of celebration and camaraderie, it is fitting for us to share our 100 year history with the state through this spectacular art display. We are excited that the milestone of PC’s Centennial will be celebrated in such a public manner on May 19th, as we kick off the activities of the College’s historic Centennial Commencement Weekend.”
– Ann Manchester-Molak, Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President of Providence College and Co-Chair of the Providence College Centennial Committee.
Make sure to visit Steeple Street where Providence College will recreate Friartown with interactive games, face painting and pop up performances.
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 7:00 – 11:30 p.m. on Friday night. 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
Steeple Street
- Fat Belly’s Irish Pub
Waterplace Park Basin
Various Locations:
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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 Spogga, 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.
Make sure you can capture the magic of WaterFire all evening long by visiting National Grid charging stations on College Street and Canal Street to recharge your smartphone and other mobile devices during the lighting.
About the author
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.
What’s the address of the Waterfire event?
Hi Ammon, sorry for the late response. An easy address for getting to WaterFire is 100 Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903. Find more info on our website.