Origins: August 23, 2014
Origins: Back to our beginning. Whether we’re traveling back as a group tracing our community or as individuals trying to understand from where and whom we came, we go back to our beginning. As humans, we crave the knowledge of our ancestors and often come back to our childhood home – even if only for a visit. We bring our children to show them where we were raised, and we want them to understand our origins so that it becomes a part of their world. We honor our beginnings by passing them to the next generation. Art often tells the story of origins. Cave walls teach us of life around the hunt, and hieroglyphics tell us history about the Egyptians, the Hittites and the Mayans. No matter the civilization, the time period, or the people… our origins are our treasures. WaterFire recognizes the use of water and fire in a history so old that it borders on imagination. Water and fire are both life sustaining forces which have evolved to serve humankind in many ways. We celebrate Water and Fire and we honor our origins; as individuals and as communities.
We chose to use themes for the events so that visitors can expect a different experience with each WaterFire lighting. The artists can create and emphasize the themes in their work as well. No two WaterFires will ever be the same, and visitors can expect a different mix of entertainment, vendors and artists at each one. We’re excited to see and support what the participants do around our second theme– Origins.
WaterFire Sharon was brought to the Shenango River in downtown Sharon during the summer of 2013. Three successful events brought 70,000 visitors to experience the ceremonial lighting, witness the fires crackling and music playing in the background, boats carrying volunteers and performers, while the scent of wood burning filled the air. The other two dates planned for the 2014 season are July 19th and September 27th.
As part of the Community Foundation, all financial contributions to WaterFire Sharon are tax deductible. It takes over 650 volunteers and significant financial donations for WaterFire Sharon to happen. For more information on how to support WaterFire Sharon or to learn more about the many and varied volunteer opportunities, please contact Bob Wilson at 724-981-5882, extension 111. Inquiries may also be sent to info@waterfiresharonpa.org
