September WaterFire Sharon Canceled

SHARON, Pa. — Amid continued uncertainty for fall regarding the coronavirus pandemic, WaterFire Sharon scheduled for Sept. 19 has been canceled.

While the event organizers “embrace all measures being suggested by the Department of Health and CDC,” recommendations for social distancing and face masks would make holding the event difficult because of the large crowds the event draws, says event co-chair Karen Winner Sed. Each event requires more than 200 volunteers and draws thousands annually.

“Although we were hopeful to have a September lighting, it takes many months of planning and labor to prepare for the event,” Sed explains. “We’d be gearing up now in the many preparations necessary to be ready for the September WaterFire. That’s why we had to make a decision now whether or not to cancel, and safety made that decision for us.”

This would have been the eighth annual event for WaterFire Sharon. In May, it announced the July 25 event was canceled, leaving just the September date for the year. The event, which features the lighting of 55 braziers installed on the Shenango River downtown at dusk, includes regional artists and musicians, and is free to attend.

“It’s an honor to have such an artistic event in Sharon,” says Jen Barborak, director of river operations for the event. “We want to continue to bring it to the area, as it is truly unique and seen only in a few places in the world – with Sharon being one.”

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