New event in Sharon, PA described “like nothing Sharon has ever experienced”
By Danielle Cotterman, Reporter
SHARON, Pennsylvania – A new event coming to downtown Sharon is described as a “beautiful experience” that “touches all the senses.”
Organizers of WaterFire Sharon said the idea originated in Providence, Rhode Island. The city began the event about 15 years ago, since then it has grown to attract millions of people to the city each year and brings in about $55 million in economic impact.
“We do see this as an economic driver for the community,” said Executive Director of WaterFire Sharon Dayna Shaw Sear. “It’s one piece of a larger economic revitalization strategy that we put together here in Sharon.”
Organizers of WaterFire Sharon traveled to Providence, Rhode Island where they were trained on how to put on the event.
“It’s so magical when we went to Providence for our training,” said Shaw Sear. “It is absolutely breathe taking.”
A WaterFire event is an all day festival centered around a waterway. Metal, floating baskets are anchored in the water. In each basket a fire of cedar and pine logs burn, while the aroma of the wood fills the air.
“It’s an amazing experience because you really can’t fully grasp the whole art of it, the whole feeling of it until you really experience it,” said Director of Operations for WaterFire Sharon Jennifer Barborak. “To bring something like that to Sharon is something unbelievable.”
Waterfire Sharon organizers will place 55 of the fires along the Shenango River. The fires will be lit at dusk and remain burning until about midnight.
Throughout the day, music and festivities will also take place.
“It’s a very serene and sober artistic event,” said Barborak. “It’s nothing like Sharon has ever experienced.”
If the event goes as planned, organizers estimate it could bring between $5 and $7 million in economic impact for the city over the next three years.
“In five years we’re going to look back and this city is going to look so completely different,” said Shaw Sear. “It is probably one of the most humbling and exhilarating experiences I’ve had to be part of such an effort.”
Waterfire Sharon is schedules to take place three times this year.
-Saturday, August 3rd
-Saturday, September 14th
-Saturday, October 12th
