Saturday, September 30

Saturday, September 30
Supported by Rhode Island Department of Education, XQ Institute, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, Parsons Capital Management 
Full Lighting – Sunset ( 6:29 pm ) – 11:00 pm 
On-shore programming will open at 5:30 p.m.
Music Program

WaterFire Providence announces a full lighting this Saturday, September 30th, supported by the Rhode Island Department of Education, XQ Institute, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, & Parsons Capital Management. The lighting will begin at 6:29 p.m. and the braziers will remain lit until 11:00 p.m. On-shore programming will open at 5:30 p.m.

Rhode Island Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year awards ceremony will be held in Memorial Park from 2:30-7:00 p.m. The ceremony will conclude with a 90-person torch procession to the stationary braziers adjacent to Memorial Park.“We’re deeply grateful for WaterFire’s ongoing partnership in recognizing and celebrating outstanding educators from throughout Rhode Island,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “We invite the community to join us this Saturday as we light up the night in honor of the many teachers who are making a difference every day.”

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation will host the 2023 Flames of Hope celebration to honor breast cancer survivors at the Rhode Island State House, along with an Illuminations of Life torch procession into the basin of Waterplace Park at 6:30 p.m. “Sponsoring WaterFire has been a part of our Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life Weekend since 2005. The entire weekend of events promotes breast cancer awareness and provides hope to thousands of people touched by cancer,” said Bryan Sawyer, the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Flames of Hope Weekend.

“Since 1993, Parsons Capital has maintained strong roots in the Rhode Island community. We are proud to support WaterFire Providence and invite clients and friends to join us on September 30 to celebrate our 30th anniversary.” says John H. Mullen, President of Parsons Capital Management. 

WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street, stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, glassware, books, and gifts. Make a quick and easy donation with the DipJar and glass blowing by Gather Glass. WaterFire will also have additional ambassador and merchandise stations in front of the RISD Auditorium, and both sides of the basin in Waterplace Park.

Find your country’s flag at the special flags of the world activation along the footprint of the WaterFire installation. 

Visitors can stop by at information tents throughout the installation; there will be four tents in total throughout the WaterFire footprint including FIRST Robots on Fire at WaterFire, a robotics activation by FIRST sponsored by igus on the Washington Street Bridge. This activation will include 21 different robotics teams and their robots. On Steeple Street, visitors can check out the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Inspiring Minds.

The Steeple Street Music Stage will feature the local musical act, SheBop Swing Orchestra. SheBop Swing Orchestra is a group of professional musicians who identify as female or gender non-binary with a goal to entertain, enrich, and expand the community through live performance, education, and advocacy. There will be three sets throughout the night, at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. 

Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 6:30 p.m. and continuing at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00  p.m. by Cirque de Light. 

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza kicks off Washington Street and Steeple Street from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where visitors can browse and shop from a variety of local artists and makers in mediums such as glass, photography, jewelry, and more. This outdoor artisan fair will showcase some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island and offer visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island-based artists.

On Washington Street, visitors can explore Recycled SilverWear, ASTR NOIR, Into the Woods, Stone Soup, Ecuador to your door, Design WhatHaveYou, Adelante Shoe Co., Land and Seaglass, Joseph Mushipi Visual Art, Jules Sharpe, All Things Lavender.

On Steeple Street: Lilly’s Bone To Pick, Dragon’s Bounty, Glass Monkey,  CandlesByJudith, Tigris Handmade, Pourever Creations, Plntbabyjewelry, Celeste Diaz Falzone, Revibed Vinyl.

Andrew Anselmo, Origami Master will be hanging out all night at Market Square and visitors can find A Silent Soapbox living statue at the bottom of Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk starting at sunset. Ten31 Productions will be illuminating the World War Monument in Memorial Park. 

The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge; add your light to the night by wishing on a star or dedicate a luminaria candle lantern.

Food Fairs will be open on Washington Street and College Street. Enjoy local food from festival favorites.

Washington Street: Kettle Korn Express, Full House Q, Saugys, The Incredabowl Food Company, Scoop T’s Ice Cream, Caribbean Delights, One2Taco&More .

College Street: Vegan Suga, Pita Pocket, Spanglish, Pam’s Grill on the Go, Poppin Minis RI, and Sal’s.

Canal Street: Gong Cha and Del’s Lemonade.

Trinity Brewhouse will have two locations, one on the corner of Canal and Steeple Street, and the other on the corner of Canal and Washington Street. They will be serving up local brews and wine from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.