Virtual WaterFire: Season Begins (Online) Friday Night

WaterFire is launching their 2020 season with a special, live-streaming online event.

May 1, 2020 5:23 pm

Tim Studebaker,

By: Tim Studebaker

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – It’s a staple of the culture of downtown Providence. Marking 25 years, WaterFire begins its 2020 season Friday night. But for now, there won’t be any crowds lining the river downtown. For the first time ever, it’ll all be done online.

WaterFire Managing Director Peter Mello says, “This is the time of year people get really excited about WaterFire, so we thought we’d bring WaterFire to peoples’ homes.”

The online event will feature a highlight reel from the past 25 years. They’ve also enlisted the help of people from all around the world, creating their own WaterFire at home and sending in video.

Mello says, “We’ve actually been calling this the largest and greatest co-created art experience in the history of humankind.”

WaterFire is a huge tourist draw for the city.

Mello says, “Every year nearly a million people come to experience WaterFire. It generates about $114,000,000 for the economy.”

While things aren’t the same right now, you can enjoy the show with some of your favorite WaterFire foods by ordering from their vendors.

Like many nonprofits, WaterFire has taken a financial hit during the pandemic. They’re accepting donations, including through their “Beacon of Hope” art installation which honors Rhode Islanders who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

As for what the future holds for WaterFire’s 2020 season, Mello says, “We’ve got a ways to go before I think we’ll ever see WaterFire down the river, but we’re going to be coming at you with a lot of other exciting and interesting things.”

The live stream begins at 8PM Friday May 1, 2020 right here: https://waterfire.org/stayhomewaterfire-live-on-friday-may-1/

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