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WEATHER UPDATE: The weather for tonight’s event looks great! There will be a couple of scattered showers during the day today, but clear skies ahead for tonight!
The fires will be lit shortly after sunset (6:56 p.m.) and remain lit until MIDNIGHT.
Tonight’s Fire Sponsor is: Cox Business. Sponsored in part by the RI Rally for Recovery.
“Cox Business is proud to co-sponsor the lighting of two-thirds of a mile of riverfront with its 11th annual Cox event. WaterFire is a great catalyst for Rhode Island’s economy, people, culture, and the arts.”
– Mark Scott, VP Cox Business and VP, WaterFire Board of Directors
“As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Rally 4 Recovery, we are happy to partner with WaterFire once again. Every year at the Rally, we celebrate recovery, and let Rhode Islanders know that with the support of family, service providers, the community and the State, individuals can and do recover.” – Craig Stenning, Director of Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals
WaterFire’s Evening Events:
5:00pm – 11:30pm
- The WaterFire Store at Canal Street buy a hoodie, t-shirt, poster or local artist designed WaterFire pendant and support a great cause
Sunset (6:56pm) – 12:30pm
- Lighting will occur shortly after sunset, with over 80 bonfires on the river accompanied by WaterFire Music
Sunset (6:56pm) – 11:00pm
- Donate today by lighting a Luminaria
- Make it a Starry, Starry Night by wishing upon a star and become a part of the installation
- Special tonight! Show your support and be a part of the installation by donating and receiving a Ribbon of Light! There will be pink ribbons of light scattered among the station, winners will receive a $5 gift card for Dunkin Donuts. There will be one (1) special red ribbon of light which will give you and three (3) friends a VIP boat ride through the installation.
7:00pm – 7:30pm: Luminaria Procession
- There will be a special procession from Roger Williams National Memorial to Memorial Park in celebration of Rhode Island Rally for Recovery; where over 300 luminaria candle lanterns will glow with the light of hope!
7:00pm – Midnight at the TD Bank Ballroom: Salsa Night
- 7:00 – 8:00pm: Dance lesson by Tony Felix and Jeannie Oki
- 8:00 – Midnight: LIVE music by The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra (LHO) performing for their 4th year at WaterFire Providence. LHO has revived the Salsa scene of the 60′s and 70′s and brought it back to the stage for an audience of all ages.
- 9:15pm: Procession from Starry, Starry Night in Memorial Park to the TD Bank Ballroom to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the Hispanic community in Rhode Island.
- 9:30pm: Dance performances by Masacote and Rumba y Timbal.
“Thank you…to all our fans, to the WaterFire organizers, and to the City of Providence! We’re back for the 4th year in a row due to the overwhelming show of love and support from all of you and as always, we will not let you down. Come dance the night away this Saturday, September 15th at the TD Bank Ballroom at WaterFire!” -William Mendoza of the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra
7:30pm – 11:00pm – WaterFire’s Clear Currents: Catch WaterFire’s Japanese Koi Paddling on the River!
- Blue illuminated koi will be traveling up and down the rivers to raise awareness about one of Rhode Island’s most important resources and an integral part of WaterFire itself: water! Get more information on this year’s Clear Currents event. There is still time to sign up to be a participant!
8:00pm at the Waterplace Basin: 100 torches light up the night
- Together with RI Rally for Recovery, the torches will be lit symbolizing hope for people in recovery and the community that they have surrounding them in their journey. This special event is sponsored by Seven Hills Rhode Island and Seven Hills Behavioral Health.
8:00pm – 10:00pm – Catch WaterFire Performers along the River
- Spogga, the fire dancer, skillfully dances amidst the sparks spinning fire along the river
- World War Memorial: Be mesmerized by the Gargoyles and the Oracles from Ten31 Productions
- Stop by to see Andrew Anselmo, The Origami Guy making paper come alive in Market Square
- Catch Mime Artist Michael Grando portraying Pierrot (Pedrolino) from the Commedia del’arte, in his naive and everlasting quest to win the heart of a beautiful girl; he will be making his way up and down the river tossing visitors complimentary carnations which reflect the connection between life and art
- Stop by Union Plaza to see the internationally acclaimed, award winning music and dance group, Inca Son. All dressed as their Inca forebearers performing enchanting melodies on their Andean pan-flutes
Other Events Throughout the City:
- RI Rally for Recovery at Roger Williams National Memorial from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. The Rally for Recovery is Rhode Island’s celebration of National Recovery Month. It is a FREE family-friendly educational festival which seeks to raise awareness about drug alcohol addiction, as well as mental illnesses, development disabilities, and the journey of recovery. Over sixty organizations from across RI set up information tables to help us share this message. Along with guest speakers: Senator Whitehouse, Rep. Langevin, Kathryn Power, Craig Stenning, Tom Coderre, Mayors Taveras and Avedisian, Joanne Peterson, A.T. Wall and Chris Herren. Plus LIVE music, crafts, giveaways and food! Music lineup includes 88th Army Concert Band, Music One, Rockers In Recovery (www.rirconcerts.com), Recovery All Stars, P.O.A.M. and the 88th Army Pop Band.
For more info visit rally4recovery.com - RiverWalk: Before the Fires are Lit! Discover the winding history and continued importance of Providence’s rivers! Urban outdoor sculpture and beautiful civic and commercial buildings of varied architectural styles provide the setting for stories of Providence’s fabled past and dynamic present. Tours last 60 min. and depart at 5:30 p.m. from the John Brown House Museum on 52 Power Street in Providence. Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the John Brown House Museum on the day of the tour. Reservations requested for this tour.
