On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
Water. Fire.
Everyone that is complaining about the smoke, what part of WaterFIRE do you not understand? WaterFire is a beautiful, fun, free event. If you are just going to walk to the river and stand there, then yes, you will be bored. Walk around, take a look at the attractions and vendors, enjoy the music, and people watch! it is a great time and brings a lot of business to Providence.
Volunteering with WaterFire is also great fun, they are always looking for volunteers, check them out!
People thought this was:
If I had a vague wordy yet catch all title for WaterFire it would be, "Not your average event put on by the city." Cheesy, but true.
I had never heard of WaterFire before we made the trek down to Providence, RI. Heck, I had never been to Providence, RI before we made the trek down to Providence, RI - but there were a set of DJs, lots of cheap/free booze, and a new(er) bar that my friend had told me about so we went down early to grab dinner and check out WaterFire.
WaterFire ended up being better than the event we actually made the trip for! The weather was perfect, we had great seats (which was completely by accident!), the music was inspiring, and the fire breather was captivating.
I grew up a bit of a pyro and love mythology - so when we were coming into the city driving over the river, I was instantly drawn to the idea of an evening surrounded by pyre like structures, dark music, and deep waters.
Mawahahaha - it was like the setting of every awesome epic novel! If some how you could drown out the crowds and gain some solitude, you could get lost in thoughts of Norse gods like Thor or the trials and tribulations of Odysseus and his men! But alas - there are stupid noisy children, annoying tourists, and crazy old people as far as the eye can see - so you'll have to settle for cool stuff being lit on fire, intoxicating music, and open container allowed (with relatively cheap booze and no ID checking, which we thought was odd, or perhaps we just look THAT old...FAIL).
People thought this was:
Went to WaterFire last night for the best first time. Hmmm...I'm not sure how to explain such a sighting. It definitely was super crowded with tons of people thats for sure!
We had the best seat in the whole place on the bridge where you could see the whole thing being lit up on both sides. It was fun watching the wood being lit slowly by the boats. Sure, it was great watching the Gondolas going by. Gee, I was even a bit jealous wishing I was in one.
But, GOD HELP ME! The music was just all around bad. I was ready to go in a coma. I was falling aslelep on the railing. It was so boring. They really need to kick it up a notch -(Sorry Emeril)-For sure! When they were lighting the wood and it was crackling away and it looked so amazingly awesome on the water..I blocked out the "throat moaners" in the background. and I kept singing to myself..
YEAHHHH..."HEAVENS ON FIIIIIIREE" by KISS.. and I was so happy!
They should really get some motivated music..it was a bit boring after the first 20 minutes. Once it was lit and the fire reached its peak..I was ready to hit the pavement. The music was enough to send me running for the hills..sorry.. It's definitely worth seeing one time.
That's plenty enough for me..If I want to hear throat singing I'll gargle in the morning..
People thought this was:
We went here after we had dinner at the India Restaurant. We parked in the mall that the water runs next to. It was crazy getting into the parking garage since it was the last day that they would be doing Waterfire but it only costed a buck, yes a buck to park so we weren't complaining too much. The mall there is huge. We couldn't figure out how to get outside at first!! Once we were finally at the water there were a ton of people walking around everywhere. They had a band playing.
WaterFire is pretty crowded, but that just goes to show how successful Providence has become at putting on such a big event. The lighting ceremony is pretty entertaining, especially with the beauty of the city's backdrop.
Waterfire deserves more love.
It's very crowded, yes. If you're agoraphobic, you should probably avoid it. The music is loud, true, and some of it is WTF-ish and some of it is creepy.
But the event as a whole has such a wonderful vibe. There are food vendors about and a live jazz band and what's the most important part: The beauty of the installation itself. Small boats travel up and down the river around the small bonfires, which reflect off the water and warm everyone down near the river's edge. Underneath the bridges, chandeliers are hung, and the dim light from them give everything in the space a haunting, mournful glow.
Nearby, in one of the parks, blue, star-shaped lanterns hang from wires. Visitors to Waterfire have written wishes on strips of paper and attached them to the lamps. When you wish upon a star, indeed. Along the ground are small groups of tiny white lanterns, each dedicated to loved ones. One read, "In memory of Eleanor, the love of my life." Others were pairs which fiances (fiancees?) had dedicated to one another.
The event breeds romance. Everywhere you look are couples of any age, strolling along the river or through the parks or over bridges, holding hands or kissing.
I think it's wonderful that Providence has an event like this, and I think that Bostonians are pretty lucky that it's only an hour's drive away.
I feel like the people who call Waterfire boring are the same ones who can't appreciate life's simple pleasures. Come on! Have you ever seen this type of event, anywhere else in this country? The answer is no.
Waterfire has really come into its own in the last few years. When it first started, it was literally just the fires. But they've added the Verizon Jazz Stage, multiple bars, performance artists and dancing at the Turk's Head building. I think it's a wonderful date night!
Yes, it's crowded. But who likes an empty city? The buzz of people outdoors, enjoying themselves and their surroundings is what makes it FUN. I love the crowd, I love getting kettle corn and a couple of glasses of wine. And if you're really concerned about finding a place to have dinner, try going someplace on the East or West side first.
This is a great event, and I'm proud of my city for hosting it.
the event was pretty cool w/spectacular views (great for photo shooting) and all, but when something is said to happen at, what, 7:45pm?, we shouldn't have to wait till close to 9pm. a little anticipation is nice, but waiting that long w/o knowing when or if something's gonna happen, is just not fun no matter how one wants to define it. and if there are that many people floating around and music was in the background the whole time, a little announcement on the updates would have been much appreciated.
something that's nice to do for once (esp. when you're from out of town), but not again. only perk: it's free. but to guarantee a better view, you can spend some molah and book a table in one of the nearby restaurants, rent a gondola (you may even be able to light a fire or what not), or, better yet, buy an apartment unit in the building that's right by the river!
p.s. the spectacle is actually happening by the river next to providence place mall; not at the address listed. check their website for specifics.
MAGICAL!!! Yes, you must stroll refelctively and let yourself be caught up in the moment. It is not a video game blaring at you 100MPH but that is the magic. It encompasses all the senses and last Saturday offered up a cool Fall evening with the burning hot fires, smoke, Gondolas, people of every age, size and shape enjoying a magical evening out in an immaculately clean city surrounded by music (yes, some new agey but not schmaltzy) and how refreshing to be unassaulted by vendors in a street event. Absolutely loved the candle lit chandeliers tucked under the stone arached bridges! Realx, enjoy and be thrilled that this can still happen in a city - thank goodness for Providence and its focus on the arts/culture/beauty...
It's a little overrated, a little overcrowded. This is mostly due to peoples' high expectations of the event. When I first heard about it, I, like a lot of other people, expected cool fiery stuff. Water on fire. Fire shooting out of the water. Pyro technics up the whazoo.
What is it? It's a bunch of fire-bowls sitting in the canal. A gondola full of people floats around the canal periodically and toss pieces of wood into the fire. And there's jazz. And youngers "sneaking" sexual acts in the shadows and shrubs. Sorry, I kind of spoiled it all, right? I was bored within minutes, I ended up wandering around the city aimlessly and getting a piercing at Evolution. That's how bored I was.
It's a nice place to relax, have some glasses of wine, listen to some good jazz.
People thought this was:
Fires burning in the water. Get it?
It's an art installation and as such, it gets varying degrees of reaction. Some may explore the contrast and relationship of nature's basic elements and others find roasting marshmallows on their stove much more worthwhile. It's highly subjective. It's not meant to be an event, per se. It's atmospheric. It draws everyone out.
Sometimes, I have found it to eerily gothic and beautiful, especially in its infancy, when it extended further and deeper into the cobblestone streets. Other times, it's a bizarre sideshow attraction, complete with bearded ladies and siamese twins. And those aren't even the street performers.
It's up to you to find your patch in the grass, your handful of kettle corn. It's a rather passive activity that only requires you wanting to get out and to simultaneously treat your five senses. Walk through the crowds of people. Smell the wafting smoke. Listen to the music. Watch people pay an exorbitant price to ride on a gondola at dark. Pause under a bridge, catch a glimpse of the self-appointed Mermaid. Try out that new mime routine you've been working on.
Waterfire has had some growing pains. With the influx of out of town people comes commercialization, with t shirts and mugs comes big hair and tackiness. Worse yet, there's a crop of imitators. Suddenly, neighboring towns and cities have Glowing Rivers and Burning Streams and Twinkling Lakes. It's ridiculous.
Waterfire is the original and it's the best [as far as these logs burning on water events are concerned].
People thought this was:
I just don't get it, and never have. Even when I was pregnant, with nothing else to do, this was extremely boring. I'm beginning to think the others who said you have to be wasted to enjoy it are on to something.
One thing made me go more than once; the sausage sandwich vendor. Those are good. The gondola looks ok, but good luck getting one.
Otherwise...I really don't get it. I can walk around my house in circles for free too, and I could even put some floating candles in the bathtub and blast Pure Moods.
People thought this was:
It's like the slow food movement of entertainment.
And really, if that's not your thing, I'd rather you just didn't come. One, there are already too many people there. Two, you would probably be one of those who would just be loud and obnoxious.
Now, I say that as someone who used to be loud and obnoxious in inappropriate settings. So I know. But, I can't really complain.
I remember once being at a beach on a winter night, surrounded by stars, and deep pounding sounds of the dark endless ocean. The brisk wind heightened my senses, and I was just drinking in as much as I could. Meanwhile, my compatriots were talking about going to some kind of casino, and not seeing any of the beauty around them.
One of them broke from the group. I thought, to stand by the edge of the water and gaze out into the sea. I was so pleased, until I went a little closer and realized he was taking a piss.
I think that sums it up.
Don't piss on Water Fire.
You are lucky to have it. And I suggest going on nights when it's a little damp or threatening... it really thins out the crowds.
People thought this was:
The only reason I am a fan of waterfire is because it makes my hotel sell out and that is heaven.
I just don't see the hype. People come from all along the east coast to see this "spectactular event" and they pay loads of money for hotel rooms for this. Seeing it once for 15 mins is cool. I'll even admit that watching the fires being lite is pretty neat but that is as far as it goes. It has made the river even worse that it was before. The traffic in the city is horrible and all the families are pains in the butts.
This is not a must see event.
The Waterfires in Providence,RI are fun to go to if you have no money n you. The Waterfires venue (the river) is right across the street from the Providence Place Mall. It is crowded around the 9 o' clock hour. The bad thing is, is that people there are most out-of-towners. So a lot of people don't really know where to go. There is a hell of a lot of people walking around aimlessly around the Waterfires.
If you like big crowds (like me), then it'll be fun. If not, then think of how cheap it will be!!
People thought this was:
Say what you will about the waterfire...at the very least it should be experienced once. It is a side of the city that I enjoy. The music, the burning wood smells, the crackle of the flames on the water, the gondolas slowly going by. Yes the city gets jammed up with pedestrians and traffic but there is a way to enjoy this. Whenever I have gone, I have parked at a local friends home and walked to the event. This eliminates the drama of the crowds. I also have never dined in Providence on waterfire night...this just doesnt make sense. I can enjoy the restaurant scene another time sans the excessive wait. I have also really enjoyed the street performers in the past as they are entertaining. I do not attend regularly but at least once a year this is an event that I like to be a part of.
People thought this was:
So I went to Providence for the first time today on other business, and ended up sticking around for Waterfire. Its kind of boring after a little bit, but still worth catching a peek of anyway.
It is bonfires in little holders all up and down the river, accompanied by music and live opera singers. Pretty impressive. Some food is available via vendors that set up for the event.
Worth hanging around to see the lighting, but much after that you can head out.
People thought this was:
Waterfire is an event that is not hosted by the city of Providence and is held a couple times during the summer. This is a very unique event along Mosshasuck River where a great number of residents and people from the surrounding area come every year. The main attraction is basins that float on water carrying mounts of wood which are then set on fire which creates a wonderful water effect. Most viewers sit along the river taking in the sight as gondolas and new-age music play all night. On the streets above the river you'll find a couple tents selling refreshments, asking for donations and have live entertainment. This is an enjoyable event for anyone who doesn't mind fighting an extremely large crowd and insane parking. Last night it took me about 40 minutes to make a large U-turn to get back to the mall for parking. It only cost $1 (for 0-3 hours) but the line to pay to leave the lot was too long. Next time I'll plan to leave earlier to I won't have to struggle dodging pedestrians in the annoying streets of Providence.
Is it boring? Yes. But cool? Yes.
I've been going to Waterfire every summer for the past five years or so. It's a neat little event every few weeks in the summer where, you guessed it, there's fire on the water (little bonfire bin type thingies). Lot of yummy food vendors, free samples, and living statues. My only gripe is that Providence in the past five years has gotten super-uglified by all the new big buildings around the mall, kind of ruining the park/nicer part of the river.
"Okay, so let me get this straight," a friend starts.
"Go on," I say to her.
"So you Rhode Islanders... you put big cauldrons of wood in the middle of the river in Providence."
"Right."
"And you set them on fire at sunset?"
"Yep."
"And people go around in boats and restock them all night long, and you blast opera and classical music in outdoor speakers?"
"So far, so good."
"And tens of thousands of people come to Providence every night that they do this?"
"Yup."
"I don't get it."
"Don't try to," I tell her. "Just enjoy it."
People thought this was:
very enjoyable
Waterfire is the mellowist communal event I have ever seen. It's a fantastic way to bring the community together. Walking around, all you see are smiling faces.
Yes the music is cheesy, but I suggest you just allow go with it, relax and sit by the water for a bit. You might enjoy the calm.
To those people complaining about the lack of vendors, I'd like to point out that the lack of commercialism is kind of one of the things that makes it great. It's kind of nice to not have to spend more than $1 for a bottle of water, or $5 for a glass of wine. And at how many other public events like this, that draws tens of thousands of people each time, do they allow public drinking, yet there's never any problems? Not many.
People thought this was:
I thought Waterfire was great! You think it's crowded? Try NYC during one of its many events, or go to 34th street during the day - the crowds at waterfire do not compare to what I am used to :P I thought i was very enjoyable. Had been meaning to visit friends in Providence and finally see this. It just had this great happy vibe. Nice people walking about, bands playing, random swing dancing in the streets, art, food, cheesy performers, fantastical on the eyes, it was lovely! Oh yes, and I got delicious sugar roasted almonds as well... made my night even better. Also - the living statues that perform there are the best I've seen... better even than Disney's, I was surprised. :P
People thought this was:
I have been going to Waterfire for a few years now and I think it is great, but not meant for some people.
I think the trick to it is not to think there is anything to "get". I think that is where people are getting caught up. It is just meant to be nothing more than an experience. The experience of the diverse crowds, the New Age/electronic/opera/funk music amalgamation, the smell of a woodfire burning, etc.
For the people who noted that there isn't much to do beyond just sitting and looking at the fire, I am willing to bet they didn't do any exploring. Besides the fire you could have seen the various music and dancing displays. Some nights you can catch Spogga doing some firedancing, Inca Son playing or the gargoyles etc.
The music is sometimes hit or miss - sometimes it is well composed other times it isn't great.
Regardless, I think the Watefire warrents multiple visits to truly appreciate it.
People thought this was:
I have to give this stunt five stars for complete geographic uniqueness. It had a magical spell that could not be recreated. Yes, it is pointless. Yes, it is packed full of people. But there is something about a crowd full of people that feel hushed by the magical spell of a moment that can never be recreated. Boston could not pull it off. New York could not pull it off. Chicago could not pull it off.
Only a town like Providence could pull it off. Really, there is something truly magical about hundreds of people all crammed onto the waterside speaking in hushed tones because they feel like they will spoil the moment presented by fire and classical music.
Hard to describe unless you are there. Loved it, depsite the fact that yes, it is boring and cheesy and lame. But its also completely wonderful in that lame sort of way. Go, but don't be that lame-o criticizing everything and ruining everyone's good time.
People thought this was:
I agree with other Yelpers that WaterFire is commendable cuz it is f-r-e-e, brings the Providence community and visitors together, and the act of just staring into fire can be mesmerizing.
BUT...
only for a few minutes. You arrive, think "this is it?" and wonder why so many people are just standing still. Waterfire (or Firewater as I kept calling it by accident) falls short of its potential, and so it's only worth a stop if you live nearby or you happen to be visiting Rhode Island that day (say, to do the Cliff Walk and mansions in Newport, as I was, or to see Brown or something).
It could honestly be so much cooler if
a) the people in boats with torches dressed up in costumes, rather than in all black as if they were trying to remain unseen like the stage crew of a play changing the set or
b) there were performances near the water (maybe on the bridges?)while people stood/milled around...the tribal/nonlyrical music just begs for some ribbon twirling or RiverDancing (badumcha)!
People thought this was:
Great place. Maybe a bit boring if you are with friends, but with with someone special, it's very romantic. They basically have Italian music playing in the background and fire lit in the middle of the canal. People pass by in the canal on gondolas and some boats. It's very gorgeous, very romantic, very lovely. Mall nearby so if you're bored just walk up there.
People thought this was:
Someone explain the attraction of this event? So crowded it is not enjoyable walking, restaurants booked a couple of weeks in advance, you will smell like smoke, still trying to figure out just what type of music that is being played, incredible traffic jams along South Main and Main Street, and the event never changes. Gee sounds like fun doesn't it, the only change in the some 10 years this event has taken place is the size and scope. Why are people mesmerized by these big pots of wood on fire in the water? Summer in Providence use to be such a great time of year, college students are gone, people head to the beaches and nightlife of Newport or South County. For us regulars of the Providence dining scene just when we can enjoy a quieter time we have to put up with the WaterFire crowds. I know business slows in the summer and I am sure the hoteliers and restaurateurs love the event because of the business it brings in. On the flip side they loose the regulars because no one will put up with the crowds and traffic. One reviewer mentions avoiding the traffic and staying with friends, well not many of us have this option open to us. So you will have to put up with the traffic, noise, and crowds. Further, to nab a parking place you need to get here so early you must dine at some point and somewhere in the city, there is no moving your vehicle somewhere else because the traffic is so ridiculous just to grab a bite . The only upside I see of this event is it could be a free night out for a family, or a cheap date night if you skip dinner and suck in the smoke fumes.
People thought this was:
Being a long time New Englander and a one time frequent visitor to Providence I have know of Water Fire for a while. Oddly enough I had never really been but I had a pleasant surprise.
Yes It is an event based around stuff burning on a river
Yes there is a lot of enya-ish music playing
Yes gondolas go up and down the river
Yes the event is awkwardly romantic
No you don't want to go swimming in the river
No you should not play with the police horses
I really could not believe that it was downtown Providence. There were people swarming the streets. Music was coming from every direction and it felt like I was at some sort of a masquerade. They really go all out and have tents and entertainment al over the place. It is the perfect venu for wandering around on a war day, dancing to live music and sipping a cold beer.
There is plenty of the artsy flavor that Providence is so well known for but the crowd that swarms the streets is from everywhere and the little kids are having as much fun as the Grandparents and college kids.
People thought this was:
" Why can't Boston be this cool? " Oh Jeff...if boston tried to do waterfires, the entire length of the charles would soon engulf in flames from the pollution streaming in from those oil tankers that soar across our seaboard.
anyway. the waterfires are fun! Jeff and Allison have painted a great picture of what the waterfire experience is. i went with a friend of mine and we enjoyed the community atmosphere of the whole day, the quiet riverside meandering, the small town feel of the city and yet it's capacity to feel so young and contemporary. don't tell my friend this, but i wished i'd been there with a fella (matt damon...), because once the sun sets, the fires are lit and the music pipes in, the mood transforms to intensely romantic and tranquil. we got great seats and watched the fire sparkle and smelled the crackling cedar wood.
there was also a small town fair aspect, with street vendors and even a special restaurant booth area with some yummy indian food and other options. it was so charming! i can't believe i'd never been before!
People thought this was:
Waterfire is what small-town folks do to pretend that Providence is a real city.
People thought this was:
So, so gorgeous! For a minute I thought we were in Venice. A friend of our's drove us all the way to Providence and surprised us with a gondola ride after dinner. The four of us were just awestruck, and it almost felt like we were interrupting a filming of the Bachelor or something. Stereotypical Italian songs, a bounty of great spots to sit, a perfect place to do nothing but enjoy the scenery, the intoxicatingly warm smell of burning wood, and the contagiously chill vibe. A perfectly romantic and short-distanced escape from Boston, and a very cool idea that should be considered for the Charles.
People thought this was:
After swilling a quart or two of vodka even a smoldering rag in a sooty barrel becomes a transmogrifying psychedelic spectacle. That's why I feel they should rename this event "fire water". Liberal amounts of alcohol must be consumed by visitors in order to make the unremarkable piles of wood burning in the river seem interesting. And therein lies a tale.
After eyeballing the clever assortment of art objects and cool furniture at "Oop!" on Westminster Street in Providence I had pizza and beer at a nearby retro beatnik bar called "Tazza". At this location the companionable Trixy seized the opportunity to get tanked up on a single glass of red wine (her body weight is much less than most adults. Don't ask) after which she took on the qualities of an unstable, loudly chirping projectile reeling down the sidewalk in the general direction of the Providence River. Temperatures that night were in the low 50s yet the sudden infusion of Malbec Bordeaux had Trixy sweating and peeling off clothing as she pestered passers-by for directions to what she referred to as "the spectacle of the stanchions".
The combination of New Age music and torchlight cast a somber, medieval mood over the proceedings as we plodded our way down Steeple Street along the canal that roughly follows Memorial Boulevard. Soon we came upon hundreds of hardy souls clustered at the natural amphitheater overlooking the wide, round pool formed by the curve of American Express Plaza. Whereupon Trixy promptly stumbled on a cobblestone and accidentally plunged herself into waist deep water, simultaneously overturning a fire basket and scattering a shower of hot embers on innocent bystanders. Thanks to the quick reflexes of a gondolier (yes, they have authentic gondolas decked out in Venetian rig) and one of the local cops, she was quickly fished out and ferried to the opposite side of the pool where I later came upon her draped in an army blanket and happily chatting with two paramedics from the New England Ambulance Service.
Presently we became aware of a loud hubbub from the direction of Bank Of America plaza: a screaming DJ voice was amplified to megawatt level and it sounded like some kind of live event or a group of street buskers gone wild. We wandered over to find an outdoor Roller Derby game in full swing and were pleased to discover the female players had names like Frida Destroyer, Crash Daily and Sass E. McNasty. Next time we'll skip the artistic wood burning and go right for the mayhem.
People thought this was:
This review is more like 2 3/4 stars. Maybe I would have liked it more had it not been so cold and rainy - but I cannot say for sure. I'll say this, it is definitely unique. I've never seen cauldrons filled with wood, set in the middle of the water, and listened to opera/classical music that reminded me of Druids at some points (haha).
***Side note: Seriously... druids... before the cauldrons were lit they were playing this spooky sounding music that just made me think of old time Celtic society, night with a nearly full moon (like tonight), and druids having a secret meeting in the woods, walking in their long black robes with hoods and having torches to light their way. Back to present day Providence - the people in the boats who came around to light all of the cauldrons were dressed in all black, and used the torches to light them - I had a silent chuckle to myself that they were just present day druids.***
Back to review:
If you're already in Providence, or you're going there for other reasons and this event happens to be going on, by all means it is most definitely worth the stop over to see. I, however, went with my roommate from Boston purely to see this event. It's fun to watch - but after about 5 minutes there really isn't anything else to do. There really weren't street vendors and such out (I think due to the rain, so again it could be way better than my perception).
If you like just staring into a fire, you're going to like this because you'll have about 100 to choose from on three different rivers. The smell of the wood burning, the sound of it crackling, and looking into the fires, it was very relaxing - but I need to either be with a few people out camping, or have more things going on around me to truly enjoy this with 100s of other people around me.
I like Annette A.'s assessment. If you are going to Providence and plan to go on a Waterfire night, fine. Definately check it out. Do not plan to go to Providence just for Waterfire. It was nice, but definately overrated. Parking was easy, there was traffic leaving.
i imagined this as some sort of doomsday-esque ritual. i thought it would be borderline out of control, or maybe just a little insane. the reason? a friend who had visited before and described this as "AT NIGHT THEY SET THE WHOLE RIVER ON FIRE!!!" i forgot that sometimes he is prone to exaggeration.
what it turned out to be was pretty tepid. little bonfires throughout the river while some sit down and watch and others take little boat rides through. it's cute but it gets old after about five minutes. just think of a very crowded but slow-paced carnival atmosphere.
the music just kills me. i didn't hear any opera like some reviewers mentioned. picture kenny g. having an acid-based revelation and deciding that the only instrument worth using is his voice and he will only chant from here on in, and furthermore, he will live in and record in a cave because of the echo-like acoustics and because he now thinks he might be a bear. picture different variations of this and that might give you some idea of the sonic treats you are in for. you can't get away from it, either. it's everywhere. i was very glad our hotel wasn't close to memorial drive and waterfire.
if all that is too much information, then here's an abbreviated review: we get there and look around. my girlfriend looks at me and says "is this it?"
People thought this was:
unique? yes.
conceptually cool? yes.
incredibly boring? yes.
obscenely crowded? yes.
free? yes.
something different to do while you are waiting 2 hours for a table at cheesecake factory? yes.
People thought this was:
When I first visited Providence, everyone and their mother was telling me about Waterfire. Me, being clueless, thought "oh, can't wait!!! " I was wrong. Me and some new friends came here one night after our first classes, and were incredibly bored. I was almost shocked that this brings people to the Providence area. If you like staring at fire in the middle of water, doing nothing, maybe you'll like this. It's free, so if you're broke, come -- with a flask in your back pocket, of course.
People thought this was:
Mmm, I love Waterfire! Sure, it's gotten more crowded since it was first introduced but I just go later at night when the crowd starts to die down. It's a great place to walk with friends or on a date -- great smells, sounds and sights. I also enjoy the abundance of vendors and performers as well as the dance stage (esp. on swing dance nights where they give a lesson for an hour and then play the rest of the night). There's nothing that can beat the beauty of the fire on the water or the smell of the bonfires... a must for my visits home in the summer.
People thought this was:
If you want to see this magnificient redone city and see it in all its glamour, make sure to see Waterfire! This is a time when the city makes all th stops to let you see that this truly is a different place. The event starts around dusk and crowds gather along the river back and boats full of people dressed in black (you can volunteer to be one) fill small baskets stationed in the center of the river with firewood. There is opera music playing through large speakers in the water and surrounding and there are gondolas boats carting people around the river as well. The river is long so you can walk along it and see vendors and depending what night you see it (check the website for the special events) ther emay be performers, a market place set up, dancers, bands etc. The whole night is well worth coming out and once they light the fires, some by spinning fire in the air, the river lights up ad looks very cool! It is one of the better events I have seen and I highly recommend it!
Providence, RI
Category: Juice Bars & Smoothies
Providence, RI
Category: Pizza
Providence, RI
Category: Hookah Bars
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
Providence, RI
Category: Coffee & Tea
A select list of some of my favorite museums,…
i got angry and took out my frustrations on the…
Seriously, take a break, if only for a day.…
must-dos when I come home to visit my parents in…
Hard to believe, but some people think I'm funny.…
