Saturday, August 31
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 31
Full Lighting
Supported by Dunkin’ with additional funds from FM.
Sunset (7:19 pm) – 11:00 pm
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6:00 pm
Music Program
Join us for a full lighting on Saturday, August 31, made possible through the crucial support of Dunkin’ with additional funds from FM. The lighting will begin at 7:36 PM and end at 11:00 PM. The earlier closing hour is to reduce costs due to the decreased number of sponsorships and the impact of the pandemic. This summer WaterFire events will end at 11:00 PM instead of midnight.
Dunkin’ will activate Market Square from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a Dunkin’ Music Festival Village. This activation will feature local artists including live t-shirt screen printing with a limited edition WaterFire x Dunkin’ design by artist and WaterFire Programs Coordinator, Grechel Rosado. WaterFire Accelerate artist, Sydney Darrow, 23-24’ will be in the village live painting and displaying her recent works. Guests are welcome to help WaterFire volunteers create Dunkin’ themed murals with an interactive paint-by-numbers activation with supplies donated by Jerry’s Artarama and RISD that will be completed by the end of the event. Guests are able to sample new Dunkin’ products and relax and recharge in an interactive charging lounge in Market Square. There will also be over 100 Dunkin flags lining the river along Memorial Blvd along with a 360 photo booth located on College Street Bridge to capture the perfect memory.
The WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, jewelry, glassware, and gifts. Our friends at Gather Glass will be doing live glass-blowing demonstrations and selling 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 and near the Exchange Street Bridge along the cobblestone walkway. The winner will be announced at the end of the night.
WaterFire Food fairs featuring local food trucks and vendors are located on Washington Street, Canal Walk, and College Street from 6:00 PM to 10:00 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 vendors Gather Farm Ice Cream, Gong cha, and Del’s Lemonade. College Street vendors Pita Pocket, 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 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Shop a variety of locally made goods including glass, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. Washington Street Artists include Recycled SilverWear, Sacred Flame LLC, Magpie Rampant, Hand Knitted by Grace, Jessie Jewels Art, Glass Sails, Jeremy Schilling Fine Art, Skoshie & Friends, and Joseph Mushipi. Steeple Street Artists include TRACIMOC, Gomber Art, Two Edges Fine Art by Sam Glevick, One Oliver, Annaleah Moon Studios, Tigris Handmade, Lilly’s Bone To Pick, Into the Woods, Jade’s Gems, and Land and Sea Glass. College Street Artists include MacxMedia, Freshly Baked Art, and Paul & Sandy’s Honey Shack.
The Dunkin’ Steeple Street Music Stage will feature two local bands. Shove, a punk rock band that will bring their energy to the streets of Providence, and The Naticks, RI’s Premier Indie Rock band. Performances will be at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
The Dunkin’ College Street Acoustic Music Stage will feature Mel, a local singer-songwriter with a flare of soul and rock n’ roll. She will take the stage at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
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 7:15 PM and continuing at 8:30 PM and 10:00 PM by Cirque de Light.
Organizer
