WaterFire — Attraction in Providence

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...

The Water Fire Celebration has to be experienced at least once or four times or more... last time I went to the lighting of the firewood at the river, my friends, family and myself - we all loved it! We decided to carpool and park at the Providence Place Mall, we made a restaurant reservation four days ahead and brought along cash for the kids. The cash we gave them, they only bought two items, glow in the dark rings. We all enjoyed the sightseeing, the music, the vendors, the smell of firewood burning; the lines of people waiting to buy from food trucks; watching the gondolas and the rowers moving along the river. It was and it is so peaceful at that time of the night. After two hours of enjoying the celebration we walked to the restaurant where we were greeted by the waitress. After we finished eating, the event was still happening outside. We continued to enjoy it all until the music nearly stopped. It is a very magical and unique time. ✨ ❤️ Although, I do recommend any future families to bring along sweaters for the kiddos during the fall or winter time, and give them time to sit down and rest. They will be happy and...

It's just some burning wood in the river, but so much more than that. It is a free festival in downtown providence approx every other weekend from May - Nov. The river is tidal, so the calendar changes from year to year because water fire can not happen when it is low tide because there is not enough depth to run the boats. There are different sponsors each time which changes the flavor of the extra activities surrounding the event. There is always an artisan market, and always food. There is sometimes a live performance at water place park. There is sometimes a second stage for music, there is sometimes other event activities or a beer garden or an exhibition of army vehicles. There are often street performers and sometimes dancers. You just never know. What is certain is that it is always crowded. We learned to go later in the evening. You might miss the performances this way, but it is much nicer for strolling on...