Saturday, October 5
Event Details
Due to declining revenue from sponsorship, the long-term financial impacts caused by the pandemic and in an effort to reduce expenses, our WaterFire events will now end one hour earlier than in previous years. Thank you for understanding.
Your donation now is more urgent than ever.
Saturday, October 5
Full Lighting
Sunset (6:19 pm)- 10:00 pm
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:00 pm
Music Program
Join us for a full lighting on Saturday, October 5, made possible through the crucial support of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. The lighting will begin at 6:35 PM and end at 10:00 PM. The earlier closing hour is to reduce costs due to the decreased number of sponsorships and the impact of the pandemic, WaterFire events will end at 10:00 PM instead of midnight.
“The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation is proud to be sponsoring our 19th event in celebration of the Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life in support of the many cancer patients, survivors, and their families throughout Rhode Island and our local community,” says Bryan Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.
Starting at 6:20 pm our procession of lighting boats will proceed upstream from the Crawford Street bridge lighting the braziers throughout the installation and one-half of the braziers in the Waterplace Park Basin. The second half of the braziers in the Basin will be lit starting just after 7:15 pm to coincide with the arrival of the Illuminations of Life Ceremony torch procession. State Ballet of Rhode Island will perform on the Basin Stage during the lighting ceremony while 150 breast cancer survivors walk into the Basin from the State House steps.
The WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or purchase locally designed apparel, jewelry, glassware, and gifts. Our friends at Gather Glass will do live glass-blowing demonstrations and sell handmade goods. WaterFire will also have additional information and merchandise stations in front of the RISD Auditorium, and on both sides of the basin in Waterplace Park. We encourage guests to stop by and purchase WaterFire merchandise or make a small donation.
WaterFire is excited to announce the addition of a 50/50 raffle to its events. The new FIRED UP 50/50 Raffle allows attendees the chance to win cash prizes while supporting a community event. How it works: participants purchase tickets and the total amount collected is split evenly between the raffle winner and WaterFire. The funds raised through the raffle directly support WaterFire’s operations, helping to sustain and enhance the art installations, performances, and community programming. By participating in the 50/50 raffle, attendees can enjoy the excitement of a potential win while contributing to the continued success and growth of WaterFire. Raffle tickets will be sold on the College Street Bridge in the Basin near the Union Tunnel. The winner will be announced at the end of the night and posted on the website.
WaterFire Food fairs featuring local food trucks and vendors are located on Washington Street, Canal Walk, and College Street from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Washington Street includes Kettle Korn Express, Full House Q, Incredabowl, Pam’s Grill on the Go, Ra Ra’s Surf Shack, and Axelrods Fry Shack. Canal Walk includes Gather Farm Ice Cream, Del’s Lemonade, and Gong cha. College Street includes Thrive Cakery, Shuckologist, Sal’s, and White Dog Distilling.
Trinity Brewhouse will be serving up its local brews on the corner of Canal Street and Washington Street and will also have a wine tent on the corner of Steeple and Canal Street.
WaterFire Artist Vendors will be located on Washington and Steeple Street from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Shop a variety of locally made goods including glass, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. Washington Street Artists include Recycled Silverware, Tracimoc, SepiaLepus Illustration, Sacred Flame LLC, Broken Arrow Studios, Forza Cavallo, Pourever Creations, Paul & Sandy’s Honey Shack, and Joseph Mushipi Visual Art. Steeple Street Artists include Jade’s Gems, Lilly’s Bone To Pick, K&T jewelry and accessories, The Roving House, Into the Woods, Revibed Vinyl, Design WhatHaveYou, Annaleah Moon Studios, Odettas, Education Earth Books and Art, Into the Woods, Candles by Judith, Retablos Palomino & Jiménez, and Cutie Curls RI.
The “Artist Makers Market” on College Street, Shop this gathering of local artists as they share demonstrations of their craft including illustration, printmaking and string art theory. College Street Artists include: Nubian Violet Creations, Cambrasine & Sara Capello, and Adopt Crochet Cuties.
The Brazier Society will return for this lighting in Market Square. Individual and Corporate members will enjoy a reception area with linens and tables from Ocean State Rental. The tent will feature a complimentary buffet-style meal courtesy of FireWorks Catering, beer, and wine from McLaughlin & Moran and Gooseneck Vineyards, and floral arrangements provided by Golden Gate Studios.
The Steeple Street Music Stage will feature Em’s Femmes, a Providence-based band with a unique sound rooted in jazz improvisation. They use retro ingredients to create thoroughly modern originals and reimagined covers. They will be taking the stage at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM.
The College Street Acoustic Music Stage will feature Ben Shaw, a hode Island based singer and songwriter whose unique voice stretches over a wide range of music. Ben will be taking the stage at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM.
The Ocean State Chess Association will be on the College Street Bridge from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Members of the association will be playing games of Chess all night long and encourage guests to stop and play as well.
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 illuminate 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.
Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 6:15 PM and continuing at 7:15 PM and 9:00 PM by Cirque de Light.
Organizer
