WaterFire Production Brings Providence, Rhode Island to Light in 2008

"WaterFire" promises to bring Providence, Rhode Island, to light again in 2008. In little more than a dozen years, this incredible downtown display has already drawn appreciative crowds totaling 10 million visitors to the capital city of Rhode Island during the late summer months. First spread by lots of word of mouth, the popularity of WaterFire has continued to grow as its notoriety has reached out beyond the city of Providence, throughout Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. Gradually it has attracted vacationers from all over New England, the U. S. and beyond.

The concept of "WaterFire" came from the creativity of a photographer and sculptor who had actually lived in the city of Providence as a student at Brown University. According to his alumni magazine Web site, http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com Barnaby Evans took advantage of the reconstructed downtown area of the city of Providence, seeing it as a potential location for a display that would help to "revive the urban pedestrian tradition". The concept of "WaterFire" made its debut on New Year's Eve 1995. Under Evans direction large metal braziers were place along two of the rivers that come together in the center of the city in Waterfront Park. The braziers were then filled with aroma producing wood cuttings. As darkness descended Evans and company made their way in boats from one brazier to the next lighting each in turn.

For those who had come to Providence to enjoy "First Night" activities, "WaterFire" was an unexpected treasure to behold. Here along the river was a scene that touched the senses in a most captivating way. The presentation was such a sensation and inspired such post even commentary that plans were made to expand "WaterFire" and share a summertime audience. Since 1995 WaterFire has been offered each summer thanks not only to the expertise of Barnaby Evans but also to the tireless fund raising efforts of hundreds of volunteers.