Onlookers gather for partial lighting of WaterFire Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Hundreds from near and far gathered Friday night at Waterplace Park for a partial WaterFire lighting.

The events are usually scheduled for Saturdays, but staff told ABC6 News that no matter the day, a show will bring thousands of people down to the water.

The lighting starts at sundown, but some onlookers secured their seats hours before to get a good view.

Many of the viewers told ABC 6 News this was their first WaterFire experience.

“[I] planned a weekend away with my wife two and a half — three months ago to Providence. This is our first time spending any time here and doing research today, we found out they have WaterFire, that’s kind of a big deal, so that’s why we’re here,” said Terry Lucas of Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Others said they enjoy having a free event to check out with their families and reviews from Friday night’s lighting were overwhelmingly positive.

“I thought it was kind of like, oh they’re not going to be real big fires — because I saw all of the wood in them and I expected more fire, but now they’re really big and they’re so pretty.” said Julianna Ruehling of Baltimore, Maryland.

Ruehling said they were in town to visit family and told ABC 6 she’d love to come back to see another WaterFire if she has the chance.

Thankfully it won’t be too long until the next one, with a full lighting scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd.