WaterFire Sharon Seeks Artists, Vendors
SHARON, Pa. — WaterFire Sharon, PA is accepting applications for artists and food vendors for the three dates to be held in 2016.
The dates and themes for this year’s events, which again take place in downtown Sharon, are July 16, “Through the Decades”; Aug. 20, “Artists at Work”; and Sept. 24, “Destination Imagination.” Vendors whose products lend themselves to arts festivals can use these themes for further planning.
Themes are selected with participation from the artist community, volunteers and the WaterFire board, said Alane Jewel, WaterFire board secretary and marketing chairwoman/social media director.
“They help plan each event fresh – a totally new experience. We tap into themes so the artists, vendors and musicians can cater to the nuances inherent in the theme,” she said. “As an artist, I think these themes will create excitement and help offer a greater depth of experience, for the artists and vendors, as well as, the festival attendees.”
WaterFire Sharon was introduced during the summer of 2013 when artist Barnaby Evans, who conceived WaterFire Providence, collaborated with Shenango Valley leaders to stage three WaterFire Sharon events. Evans created WaterFire in Providence, R.I. in the early 1990s as an evening event that would bring people into the downtown.
“Last year’s WaterFire Sharon events drew approximately 60,000 visitors into downtown Sharon,” said Karen Winner Sed, WaterFire Sharon’s board co-chairman. “It’s a winning combination: the immersion in arts, economic development and community building — something everyone in the area should be proud of.”
Braziers are placed in the Shenango River and fired with cedar and pine. After a daylong and music festival, the evening activities commence with a ceremonial lighting of the braziers, which are tended to and remain burning until midnight. The music festival continues throughout the evening with live entertainment on an indoor stage and several outdoor stages.
“For decades we’ve asked ourselves what we could do with the river running through downtown Sharon. WaterFire has been one creative and exciting answer,” Sed remarked. We are one of the very few places in the world it can be experienced.”
For more information WaterFire Sharon, including how to donate to the event, contact Karen Anderson, director of land operations, at 724 981 5882, ext. 111. Additional information is available at the event’s website, and vendor applications can be found under Vendor Portal.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
