Saturday, September 21

Saturday, September 21
Full Lighting
Sunset (6:43 pm) – 11:00 pm
Onshore programming and vendors open at 5:30 pm
Supported by the Rhode Island Department of Education, Amica Mutual Insurance, and Igus
Music Program

Join us for a full lighting on Saturday, September 21, made possible through the crucial support of the RI Department of Education (RIDE) and Amica Insurance with additional funding from Igus and XQ. The lighting will begin at 7:00 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.

WaterFire: A Salute to Rhode Island Educators, which includes an award ceremony and then a torch procession honoring RI educators, is scheduled to take place at Memorial Park beginning at 4:30 PM. At approximately 6:40 PM, during the sunset, nearly 90 District Teachers of the Year and educators identified for excellence in their professional areas from around the state will be a part of the lighting ceremony. There will also be a Luminaria display in Memorial Park as well for educators to make wishes and dedicate their lanterns.

The WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street from 5:30 PM to 10:00 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 and the winner will be announced at the end of the night. 

With funding from Igus, Washington Street Bridge will be activated from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM with NE First Robots, with Robots on Fire. This activation will include more than 20 different robotics teams, with teams of all ages, from third graders up through high schoolers and their robots. The teams participating will include:

Igus will also be on-site sharing information about their latest projects including a bike made out of recyclable materials. 

WaterFire Food fairs featuring local food trucks and vendors are located on Washington Street, Canal Walk, and College Street from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Washington Street includes  Kettle Korn Express, Full House Q, Incredabowl, Pam’s Grill on the Go, RaRa’s Surf Shack, and Hot Potato RI. Canal Walk includes Gather Farm Ice Cream, Gong cha, and Del’s Lemonade College Street includes 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 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Shop a variety of locally made goods including glass, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. Washington Street Artists include: Recycled SilverWear, Odettas, Lilly’s Bone To Pick, Eric Sturtevant Illustrations, Jessie Jewels Art, Jeremy Schilling Fine Art, Moonlight Jewelry, Joseph Mushipi Visual Art. Steeple Street Artists include: Revibed Vinyl, Maeven in Me, Retablos Palomino & Jiménez, Land and SeaGlass, Into the Woods, Nubian Violet Creations, CandlesByJudith, Jules Kang Sharpe, Tigris Handmade, Amber N Crystals, Sparkles & Glow by Yvonne. College Street Artists include: Paul & Sandy’s Honey Shack, Pourever Creations.

The Steeple Street Music Stage will feature Funkademic, a musical ensemble based in Providence, Rhode Island that plays funk, soul, and R&B on period-correct instruments. The band founded at Brown University will be taking the stage at  7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.

The College Street Acoustic Music Stage will feature Tori Jae, a multilingual pop/rock fusion singer from Fall River. She is influenced by a classic Americana sound and Portuguese folk genres such as fado and lira. Tori Jae will take the stage at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.

William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School will be located on Canal Walk in front of the RISD Auditorium from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM talking about their programs for students.

Diabetes Link at Brown University will be located on Canal Walk between Steeple Street and Washington Street from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM offering free blood sugar screenings.

Community Preparatory School will be on the College Street Bridge from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM sharing information about enrollment and programs they offer to students.

LunaSCOPE will be on site from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM talking about their program at Brown University and will even have telescopes for guests to look through at the night sky.

Cozy Rhody will be on the College Street Bridge from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM sharing information about how the community can get involved with neighborhood clean-ups and how residences can keep the state of Rhode Island clean.

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 9:30 PM by Cirque de Light.