(8.31) You think seasoned firewood grows on trees? And those aren’t paddle boats. There will be a full WaterFire lighting this Saturday, but keep in mind, these now end an hour earlier and there are 15 fewer braziers due to declining revenue, and the number of full lightings has been cut in half. These events are major productions: Setting up begins the day before with the laying of cables and building stages, then there’s managing all the vendors and volunteers the night of and keeping the power on and the music going, followed by breaking the whole thing down and carting it away and putting it in storage, while you are sound asleep in your bed. The crew are constantly hauling firewood around and stacking it along the river while maintaining the boats. All this for an event that is free to attend!
The ProJo recently interviewed WaterFire creator and leader, Barnaby Evans, who described the financial situation:
WaterFire’s budget is $3.2 million, not a big drop from the past, but costs have doubled. Barnaby says Providence is a hugely helpful partner, but WaterFire actually pays the city more than $40,000 a year for a portion of police and other services.
As for state money, it’s usually $375,000, but that’s not locked in until a June vote at the State House, making it hard to plan.
As for corporate sponsors, some no longer exist, including banks such as Fleet and Hospital Trust. Other Rhode Island firms have been bought by national corporations, so there’s less local giving. It’s a problem for nonprofits everywhere.
So yes, the primary problem has been lining up corporate sponsors, but you can help: Go here to Donate Now.
Longtime residents may have started to take WaterFire for granted, but if you have ever needed to entertain out-of-town guests and brought them down to a (free) Waterfire night, you may have suddenly seen it through new eyes. It’s kind of amazing and Providence has become famous for it.
Onshore programming and vendors open at 6pm.
And a big thank you to this week’s corporate sponsors: Dunkin’ with additional funds from FM.
Dunkin’ will activate Market Square from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a Dunkin’ Music Festival Village. This activation will feature local artists including live t-shirt screen printing with a limited edition WaterFire x Dunkin’ design by artist and WaterFire Programs Coordinator, Grechel Rosado. WaterFire Accelerate artist, Sydney Darrow, 23-24’ will be in the village live painting and displaying her recent works. Guests are welcome to help WaterFire volunteers create Dunkin’ themed murals with an interactive paint-by-numbers activation with supplies donated by Jerry’s Artarama and RISD that will be completed by the end of the event.
Ignition 7:19pm to 11pm, Saturday, August 31, WaterFire, downtown, (directions)
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The Waterplace Park Basin.