Providence WaterFire Is Facing an Uncertain Future

WaterFire in Providence, Rhode Island is celebrating its 30th season, and some fear it could be the end of the line for the free public art installation.

WaterFire.org says, "Due to declining revenue from sponsorship, the long-term financial impacts caused by the pandemic, and in an effort to reduce expenses, our summer WaterFire will now end at 11 p.m. instead of midnight."

WaterFire founder Barnaby Evans told WJAR-TV 10, "There's no more cutting we can do, other than just stopping."

According to the station, WaterFire has over 70 full-time and part-time employees and a payroll of $2 million.

WJAR lists other expenses including $300,000 annually for occupancy of WaterFire buildings, $3,800 for police and fire detail at each lighting, and $200,000 annually for insurance.

Rising costs have forced organizers to reduce the number of full and partial WaterFire lightings by about 40 percent.

WaterFire.org says, "Every season, around a million visitors flock to the state to experience this incredible public art installation." The event was created by Evans in 1994 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of First Night Providence.

WaterFire consists of 86 burning braziers (each with approximately 33 pieces of wood), strategically located in the rivers at Waterplace Park in Downtown Providence. Gondolas and kayaks traverse the rivers that are lined with people.

The event attracts an average of 40,000 spectators to each lighting.

There are at least five more full and partial WaterFire lightings before the 2024 season ends on Saturday, November 2. See the WaterFire website for a complete schedule.