WaterFire Sharon Fest Will Light Up Saturday Night

SHARON, Pa. – WaterFire Sharon will return on Saturday, July 23, with a day of free entertainment and activities.

It’s the first of two WaterFire festivals this year in downtown Sharon, the other being Sept. 24.

Saturday’s event will run from 2-11 p.m., with the ritual lighting of wood fires on braziers tethered to the surface of the Shenango River – the event that gives the festival its name – at dusk

Available all day will be a marketplace of art, a food court, and a lineup of musical entertainment.

“Great consideration goes into planning the artists section of WaterFire,” said Alane Jewel, board member and a fine artist. “The many different artisans you see are carefully selected to provide guests with a variety of shopping opportunities.”

Deanna Tyree of Tyree Pottery will make her WaterFire debut on Saturday. She will show and sell her beautiful and functional ceramic pieces made on a potter’s wheel.

Charli, who is often seen on the corner of State and Chestnut streets downtown, usually draws a crowd as she demonstrates her style of art – painting large canvases with spray paint.  “Charli has been with WaterFire for many years, and she never disappoints those who gather around to watch,” said Jewel.

The food court will be located in the parking lot across from Quaker Steak and Lube.

A Children’s Fun Zone will be in operation from 3-7 p.m. on the corner of Shenango Avenue and State Street.  The children always enjoy watching the robotics demonstrations, participating in crafts and interactive projects, and trying out their musical style on the music wall. Parents are required to stay with their children while they’re in the fun zone.

There will also be selfie stations throughout downtown, a collection of autographed sports memorabilia at the library, and walking tours of the Upper East Side at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

On the State Street Bridge, Ally Grande will perform a half-hour set at 8 p.m. Grande is a popular local performer who is also active in local theater.

Ruby, an Americana artist, will take the music stage  at 2:30 p.m., followed by Beatlemania Magic at 5:30 p.m., and The Four Kings and a Queen (Motown, R&B, soul) at 9:30 p.m.

The river ceremony will begin at 8:30 p.m. with Sen. Michele Brooks and Rep. Mark Longietti lighting the WaterFire Orb.

Musicians will perform on a boat, along with a fire twirler.

All parking is free for the festival; the handicapped lot will be on Chestnut Street. For information, go to waterfiresharonpa.org.

Pictured at top: Torches light up the State Street Bridge in Sharon during last year’s WaterFire fire ceremony at dusk. Photo by Leanne Lee.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.