WaterFire announces 2016 dates

WATERFIRE KICKS OFF for the 2016 season on May 21. / COURTESY WATERFIRE/JENNIFER BEDFORD
WATERFIRE KICKS OFF for the 2016 season on May 21. / COURTESY WATERFIRE/JENNIFER BEDFORD

PROVIDENCE – The first 2016 WaterFire lighting will be held May 21, the nonprofit announced during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Highlights of this year’s festivities include the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza, where local artists will sell their wares, food vendors on Washington, College and Steeple streets. There also will be free charging stations sponsored by National Grid. First aid stations will once again be staffed by Nursing Placement.

Here is a list of WaterFire lightings:

  • Saturday, May 21
    Basin Lighting – sunset: 8:05 p.m.
    Sponsored by The MET High School

  • Saturday, May 28
    Full Lighting – sunset: 8:11 p.m.
    Sponsored by Bank of America

  • Saturday, June 18
    Full Lighting – sunset: 8:24 p.m.
    Sponsored by CVS Health Charity Classic and The Providence Journal

  • Saturday, July 9
    Full Lighting – sunset: 8:22 p.m.
    Sponsored by Amica Mutual Insurance Co. with support from Textron Charitable Trust

  • Saturday, July 23
    Full Lighting – sunset: 8:12 p.m.
    Sponsored by Cox Business

  • Saturday, August 6 – Hep C Hope: A WaterFire Lighting for RI Defeats Hep C
    Full Lighting – sunset: 7:59 p.m.
    Sponsored by HepCHope.com

  • Saturday, August 20
    Full Lighting – sunset 7:37 p.m.
    Sponsored by Fidelity Investments and National Grid PLC

  • Saturday, September 24
    Full Lighting – sunset 6:38 p.m.
    Sponsored by the Confucius Institute & US-China Institute at Bryant University and Nortek Inc.

  • Saturday, October 1 – Flames of Hope a Celebration of Life
    Full Lighting – sunset: 6:26 p.m.
    Sponsored by Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and Lifetime Medical

  • Saturday, November 5 – WaterFire Salute to Veterans
    Full Lighting – sunset: 5:34 p.m.

As the season nears, and sponsorship continues, more dates may be added. Potential open dates that are currently unsponsored include Sept. 3 and 17 and Oct. 15.

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Almost 1 million tourists visit Providence each year to experience WaterFire. The event generates an annual $113 million in business for the capital city and surrounding area and more than $9 million in tax revenue for the state and 1,294 jobs, according to the organization.

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