Sharon, PA .– May 1, 2020 – “WaterFire Sharon” has cancelled its July 25 event for this summer, due to uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Consideration continues for the September 19, 2020 event.
“Like other events, WaterFire Sharon has revisited its plans for 2020. Although we can’t know what the future holds for early summer, we felt it best to cancel the July event for safety reasons. We embrace all measures being suggested by the Department of Health and CDC to stay healthy and keep our attendees, staff, volunteers and performers healthy. As we don’t know what the recommendations will be regarding social distancing in July, we feel it is best to cancel this lighting” said Karen Winner Sed, Co-Chair of WaterFire Sharon. Social distancing is a concern due to the large crowds drawn to downtown Sharon for the WaterFire events.
WaterFire Sharon still has September 19, 2020 on the calendar for its final lighting of the season. As further recommendations for COVID-19 become available, a decision whether to go forward or not will be made closer to the event.
“Of course, we are hopeful that we can have at least one lighting this summer” said Karen Anderson, Land Operations Manager for WaterFire. “However, we will closely monitor Pennsylvania’s guidelines and plan accordingly – including cancel the event if that’s what is required.”
WaterFire Sharon was scheduled to host its 8th season during 2020. A day long event of arts, live entertainment and music meets an evening of entertainment and fires on the Shenango River. Requiring over 200 volunteers to conduct, each lighting is designed to be a different experience for attendees. The lightings are free to attend and handicapped accessible. Although once seen in other areas and countries, WaterFire events are now only seen in Providence RI, Kansas City MO, and Sharon PA. “It’s an honor to have such an artistic event in Sharon. 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! We are going about this season with an abundance of caution” said Jen Barborak, Director of River Operations for the event.
Further information is available about the event, or how to get involved at www.waterfiresharon.org, or by contacting the office at 724/301-1868.
WaterFire Sharon is a charitable fund with an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio (www.comm-foundation.org).
