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Saturday, July 22

22jul6:30 p.m.11:00 p.m.Saturday, July 22Full Lighting

Event Details

Visitors enjoy the fires at WaterFire. Photograph by Laura Paton.
Visitors enjoy the fires at WaterFire. Photograph by Laura Paton.

Saturday, July 22
Supported by Amica & Bank of America
Full Lighting
Onshore Programs & Vendors Open at 6:30 pm
WaterFire Lighting: Sunset ( 8:13 pm ) – Midnight
Music Program

“Amica is proud to once again be a sponsor of WaterFire,” said Paul Cullinane, Strategic Partnership Manager at Amica. “We are a Rhode Island-based company, and we believe it’s important to support the community that so many of our customers and employees call home.”

“Arts and culture help economies thrive. They educate and enrich us, and lead to greater cultural understanding. At Bank of America, we believe that vibrant communities depend on the arts,” said Kevin Tracy, President, of Bank of America Rhode Island. “WaterFire is a world-class seasonal event that welcomes and engages all those that live, work, and visit Downtown Providence.”

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street. Photo by Jennifer Bedford.
The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street. Photo by Jennifer Bedford.

The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza kicks off Washington Street and Steeple Street from 6:30 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, Celeste Diaz FalzoneASTR NOIRJeremy Schilling Fine ArtMoonlight JewelryJessie Jewels ArtMaera Glass SundriesBoojie LolliJade’s GemsLand and SeaglassJoseph Mushipi Visual Art. On Steeple Street: K&T Jewelry and AccessoriesTRACIMOCGlassMonkey, Sara Breslin: Illustration + Portraiture, Lilly’s Bone To Pick, Maeven in Me, AEstesArtTigris HandmadeUncouthCurationsInto The WoodsEric Sturtevant Illustrations, and WaterFire Accelerate Artist Sav Hazard-Chaney will also have their artwork displayed for purchase as well as doing live rug tufting demonstrations on Steeple Street. 

Steeple Street Music Stage will feature local musical act, Hollow Turtle. There will be three sets throughout the night, at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. 

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 on both sides of the basin in Waterplace Park.

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, College Street, and Canal Walk. Enjoy local food from festival favorites. On Washington Street: Kettle Korn ExpressOne2Taco&MoreFull House QSaugy’sThe Incredabowl Food CompanyDuck Press, and Caribbean Delights. On Canal Street: Gong Cha,  Del’s Lemonade, and Gather Ice Cream. On College Street: Vegan SugaPita PocketSpanglishPam’s Grill on the GoPoppin Minis RIFireWorks Catering, and Sal’s.

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 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 8:15 p.m. and continuing at 9:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. by Cirque de Light.

Event Times

July 22, 2023 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.(GMT-04:00)

Organizer

WaterFire Providence

WaterFire Providence® is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement and creatively transforming the city by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy.

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