What's not to love about this FREE event that is a beautiful immersion into the Providence downtown? My SO and I missed this event 2 times over the summer due to weird circumstances that I can't even remember so I would definitely recommend checking their website for the new year's schedule. This non-profit arts organization partners with sponsors to bring the Providence community a magical night illuminated by the braziers along the entire waterway. They even have a special night in October for Relay for Life and one in November to celebrate all Veterans' service. As expected this event draws hundreds of tourists so I would suggest planning ahead to figure out parking as there's road closures for all the vendors to set up and of course dreaded traffic.

My friends and I also managed to check out RISD beforehand so we arrived earlier in the day and secured a parking spot to avoid some of the parking craziness when the event started. We also got dinner at a local restaurant so we were able to just walk down to the WaterFire booths and begin the tour. All of the vendors are local businesses and they display their wonderful artistic crafts. One of my friends was especially fascinated by the live glass blowing and asked about the mushroom necklace. He offered to show us live immediately and of course several other people gathered since watching glass blowing is quite memorizing. We then stopped by one of the Italian bakery booths that I'm kicking myself for not remembering the name, but my goodness the Tiramisu and Eclair we purchased was simply heavenly! Soon after a huge line formed around the booth so they must have known we were onto something good.

For activities they also offer gondola/boat rides at one of the docks. I have no idea how exorbitant the prices are, but they looked quite fun! In order to keep the fires burning they also have several crew members on boats restocking the wood in the braziers. They also provide a map and program at the WaterFire main booths as well as memorabilia items for purchase where the money will go towards the arts and future WaterFire programs. How could I almost forget the best part?! I was initially snubbed for a carnation from one of the guy's on the gondoliers handing them out in the first round, the second time I was on one of the bridges, he threw it up and I caught it!! I dragged that thing around with me the rest of the night and loved it! It also stayed in my car for another week or two since I didn't know where to put it. I had a surprisingly lovely time and look forward to coming back for 2017!