Saturday, August 17
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, August 17
Full Lighting
Sunset ( 7:42 pm ) – 11:00 pm
Supported by the Providence Tourism Council with additional support from Red Bull
Wake the Flames, a Red Bull Wakeskating performance from 8:10-8:40 pm in the Waterplace Park Basin
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:30 pm
Music Program
Join us for a full lighting on Saturday, August 17, made possible through critical funding from the Providence Tourism Council (PTC) and with support from Red Bull. The lighting will begin at 7:30 PM and the braziers will remain lit until 11:00 PM. The wakeskating performance in the basin will begin at 8:10 PM and conclude at 8:40 PM.
Wake the Flames, a Red Bull Wakeskating Performance
Red Bull will be having multiple activations during the evening for thrill seekers to enjoy. Brian Grubb, Raph Trinidad, and the Red Bull Wake Team kick off the evening with a never-before-seen wakeboarding exhibition, performing stunning tricks in the Basin from 8:10 PM to 8:40 PM. There will also be a fleet of Red Bull branded vehicles on site with free samples of Red Bull products on Washington Street Bridge, College Street Bridge, and Finance Way from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
“I’m excited to come to Waterfire Providence this summer and show people wakeskating,” says Grubb. “My roots are in the Northeast so it’s always a pleasure to come back. This will be a unique experience for both me and the spectators to enjoy.”
Please note that some areas of the river walk around the Waterplace Park Basin will be closed to pedestrian traffic while the Red Bull performance (and an earlier practice) is happening. Temporary stanchions below the cranes and cable will be roped off and manned during 5:00-5:30 for Red Bull’s practice run, and 8:00-8:45 during the performance. At all other times, the river walks will be open to normal traffic flow. Map of closures.
The WaterFire Artist and Maker Vendors will be located on Washington Street and Steeple Street from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM where visitors can browse and shop for a variety of goods such as glass, photography, jewelry, and more. Washington Street Artists include: Joseph Mushipi Visual Artist, The Roving House, Jessie Jewels Art, The Dapper Flapper, Pourever Creations, Recycled SilverWear, Parched, Land and SeaGlass. Steeple Street Artists include: Revibed Vinyl, Broken Arrow Studios, Celeste Diaz Falzone, CandlesByJudith, Maeven in Me, Emma Joyce Art, Into the Woods, K&G Candles, Carole’s Jewelry Design, Fidy8, Coral Anchor Apparel, Sophie Foulkes, Red Earth Roses. College Street Artists include: Paul & Sandy’s Honey Shack, MayPaul Publishers, Nubian Violet Creations
The WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street: stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, jewelry, glassware, and gifts. Meet WaterFire Accelerate artist, Sydney Darrow, 23-24’ displaying their work as well as glass blowing by Gather Glass. 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.
The reception tent for the Brazier Society Members will be located in Market Square. Members have exclusive access to the tent all season with their annual membership. This year’s Official Brazier Society Sponsors are Fire Works Catering, McLaughlin & Moran, Gooseneck Vineyards, Golden Gate Studios, and Ocean State Rental.
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 will work, 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 and in Market Square at the Brazier Society.
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.
The Ladies of the Rolling Pin and Morris Dancers will be performing from 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM in front of the WWI Monument in Memorial Park.
The Steeple Street Music Stage will feature Dan Mach-Holt and The Hang, a jazzy Rhode Island based band that features Dan Mach-Holt, Andrew Wilcox, Kweku Aggrey, and Parker Reid. The band will be taking the stage at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
The College Street Music stage will feature Tyler Seton, a New Jersey native who found his soul in Rhode Island. Tyler prides himself on spreading messages of hope, love, and unity, as well as feeling difficult emotions through the experience of music. He will be performing at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
Food fairs will be open on Washington Street, College Street, and Canal Walk. Enjoy local food from festival favorites: Washington Street: Kettle Korn Express, Full House Q, Incredabowl, Pam’s Grill on the Go, Saugy Express. Canal Walk: Gather Farm Ice Cream, Gong cha, and Del’s Lemonade. College Street: Pita Pocket, Thrive Cakery, Shuckologist, Sal’s, and White Dog Distilling. Trinity Brewhouse will have two locations on the corner of Canal and Steeple Street, and the other on the corner of Canal and Washington Street. All street vendors will be serving foodie favorites from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Rob Levine & Associates will be located on Canal Street from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 7:45 PM and continuing at 8:45 PM and 9:45 PM by Cirque de Light along the river and on the bows of the WaterFire wood boats.
Organizer
