Saturday, November 5 - Full Lighting

WaterFire Salute to Veterans
Supported by lead sponsor General Dynamics Electric Boat with additional support from Rhode Island Energy, Providence VA Medical Center, and Starwood Energy Group.
Full Lighting – Sunset (5:35 p.m.) – 10:00 p.m.
· Salute to Veterans Ceremony begins at 4:30 pm in Waterplace Park
· Food Fairs and Artist Vendors open at 4:30 pm
· Music Program

“General Dynamics Electric Boat is proud to be the lead sponsor for the WaterFire Salute to Veterans. As the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy for more than 120 years, it’s an honor to take part in an event that recognizes veterans, active and reserve military personnel, and families for their service and sacrifice to our nation.”

– Electric Boat President Kevin Graney

At 4:30 p.m. the night will kick-off with a speaking program on the basin stage in Waterplace park with remarks given by Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs, Governor Daniel J. Mckee, and Providence Mayor-Elect Brett Smiley. The keynote address will be given by Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, President of the Naval War College. The speaking program will also feature a performance by the Army 88th and Navy Band. Once the speaking program concludes, around 5:40 p.m, the Rhode Island Professional Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums group will perform as 100 veterans and active-duty service members process into the basin with lit torches and surround Waterplace Park with a Ring of Fire. 

Starting at 7:30pm, wreaths will be laid at the World War, World War II, Korean and Rhode Island Nine Beirut Memorials while taps plays throughout Memorial Park. Rhode Island Energy will illuminate all of the monuments in lights in honor of all of our Veterans. 

On the confluence, where the rivers meet, there will be a Missing Man Table set up to honor the memory of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members. Every piece of this touching memorial has a special meaning, and we invite you to join us in taking a moment to think about our soldiers that are no longer with us or are missing.

Stanley Tree is sponsoring an installation of 100 American Flags on Memorial Boulevard lining the river with another 100 American Flags in the basin of Waterplace Park. The large American flag flying over Waterplace Park is presented by men and women of the Providence Fire Department in honor of all veterans in Rhode Island.

The Providence VA Resource Fair will be on the Washington Street Bridge starting at 4:30 pm. The fair will include the Providence VA, Rhode Island Energy, International Gaming Technology (IGT), Rob Levine & Associates, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD  (CC&K), Heroes Horizon and Newport Naval Station. There will also be a Mobile Vet Service vehicle, United Way 2-1-1, and a Military vehicle thanks to Bruce Ferreira. 

Thanks to our 2022 WaterFire Salute to Veterans Sponsors

WaterFire Information and Merchandise stations will return to Canal Street with mini pop-ups around the park. Stop by to support WaterFire with a donation and get a Ribbon of Light or purchase locally designed apparel and gifts. Purchase WaterFire-inspired glassware and watch glass blowing by Gather Glass.

WaterFire Providence is excited to be able to provide mobile charging stations free of charge to visitors at four locations along the riverwalk. The charging stations will be located on College Street as well as at the WaterFire Information and Merchandise Stations on Canal Street, in the Waterplace Park Basin Tunnel and in front of the RISD Auditorium. The mobile device charging stations are supported by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The Brazier Society will be in its usual home in Market Square. This year’s Official Brazier Society Sponsors are Fire Works Catering, McLaughlin & Moran, Anchor & Hope Wine, and Golden Gate Studios. 

Origami Master Andrew Anselmo at WaterFire. Photograph by Drew Christhilf.

Lily the Statue by A Silent Soapbox on Washington Street. Photograph by Scott Friedman.

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. 

The Starry, Starry Night installation at WaterFire. Photograph by John Nickerson.

Photograph by Drew Christhilf

Starry, Starry Night. Photograph by Erin Cuddigan.

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 starting at 4:30. Enjoy local food from festival favorites: Saugy’s, Kettle Kom Express, Red’s Street Kitchen, Nanu Burmese Fusion, Caribbean Delights, and One2Taconmore. College Street will have Pams Grill on the Go and Spanglish.

Arts Festival starting at 4:30 on Steeple Street and Washington Street includes local artists and makers Astr Noir, Slay Natural Products, Joseph Mushipi Visual Art, Revibed Vinyl, Casted by T, Into The Woods, Glass Monkey, Alix Fuerst Portrait Artist, Uncouth Curations, Beach Walker Studio, and Ecuador To Your Door.

Photograph by Erin Cuddigan.

Funkademic, photograph by Gabriel Giannelli.

Trinity Beer Garden will be on the corner of Steeple Street and Canal Street. Funkademic will be performing on the Steeple Street Music Stage from 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Exhibition: Annual Illustration Faculty Show at the RISD ISB Gallery

The RISD Illustration Department would like to invite the RISD community to the Illustration Studies Building Gallery to view a wide and engaging variety of work from department faculty and staff. Enjoy this opportunity to see the faculty as independent artists, beyond their role as committed educators. On view October 28–December 2.

The ISB Gallery will be open to the public without an appointment during the Waterfire lighting on Saturday, November 5 from 12–10 pm.