Visit our Artisan Marketplace, a showcase of talent! 2-11pm
WaterFire Sharon prides itself on striving to bring professional art market vendors and high-quality works of art to our marketplace. Our talented artisans are natural creatives who make amazing handmade fine art. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, pottery, woodworking, glass or fiber art, painting, photography, or mixed media piece – we have it all, in all price ranges – we know you will find the perfect item while walking the streets of beautiful downtown Sharon during WaterFire.
During our event, you’ll find artisan tents full of beautiful and unique items. Talk to the artists to learn more about their processes, watch their live demonstrations and support our artists by selecting a handmade original piece to add to your home or give as a gift. You will love the spray paint art of Charli Cupan! Stop by her booth on the corner of Chestnut and State St. for demonstrations of her talent all day.
Want to sell your handmade art items at WF in 2024? Applications are open through Zapponline: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=11156 . Contact Jenn at jenncrisan@gmail.com or artistinfo@waterfiresharonpa.org with any feedback or questions. We are looking forward to a great selling event in the artisan marketplace!
Food Court – 2-11pm
Stop by the food court to enjoy a variety of delicious treats. You will know you are headed in the right direction as you pick up the aromas of ribs on the BBQ! There will surely be a sweet smell of cinnamon rolls and funnel cakes. You can cool off with a milkshake! So much savory, so much sweet – you can’t go wrong with a visit to the food court. Just a few of the delicious food options: pulled pork, mac & cheese, hot sausage, philly cheese steak, fries, gyros, nachos, corn dogs and so much more!! Have lunch, dinner or take a snack to take home from the WaterFire food court.
Children’s Fun Zone – 3-7pm
Be sure to bring the kids to the Children’s Fun Zone, located at the corner of Shenango Ave. and State St., directly under the American Flag. There will be lots of interactive projects, crafts, games, giant legos, music wall, robotics and so much more. Parents need to stay with their children. This is a non-smoking zone.
River Festivities
Our evening will begin with the Native American Blessing of the Shenango River by Leon Briggs followed by the lighting of the WaterFire Sharon PA orb along with 55 floating bonfires filled with pine on the river between Connelly Blvd. and E. Silver St. Enjoy the aroma, live entertainment and music on the river until 11pm. Be sure to bring a chair and stay awhile!
Leon Briggs:
Leon Sam Briggs, is an enrolled Tonawanda Seneca whose native name is H oya’degay hus, “he helps always” hawk clan. In 2004, he was ordained as a spiritual leader of the American Metis Aboriginal Association. He works in traditional Arts of beading, quill and leather work. He speaks on his traditional teachings in herbology, (focused native uses of plants), and works as a cultural consulting. He has made annual trips to Little Eagle, South Dakota to meet with the community and government leaders as a cultural lea son, participate in events and ceremonies, such as Peace Place powwow to support local efforts to start building the Little Eagle Community Center. He has participated as guest speaker on Native American culture, storyteller, environmental impact on indigenous plants at various events including Native American Awareness Week at the University of Dayton, and Sunwatch Village, since 2007.
Making Relations another gathering of communities for the exchange of cultures (Little Eagle and Eagle Butte, South Dakota, since 2009) and Native Peoples Celebrate the Peacemakers, University of Dayton. Leon is a consultant/ speaker with the Red Bird Center whose mission is to support the Healing and Unity of Native Families in Ohio. The Center specializes in assisting families in recovery from trauma and loss. Leon is a presenter at the Red Bird Center’s Annual Native Unity Gathering which focuses on the “Indigenous Healing Model” that restores the spirit and brings unity and connection within Native Communities. The Red Bird Center has been in operation since 1997 and is a Native non-profit organization. Making Relations another gathering of communities for the exchange of cultures (Little Eagle and Eagle Butte, South Dakota, since 2009) and Native Peoples Celebrate the Peacemakers, University of Dayton. He is a consultant/ speaker with the Red Bird Center whose mission is to support the Healing and Unity of Native Families in Ohio. The Center specializes in assisting families in recovery from trauma and loss. Leon is a presenter at the Red Bird Center’s Annual Native Unity Gathering which focuses on the “Indigenous Healing Model” that restores the spirit and brings unity and connection within Native Communities. The Red Bird Center has been in operation since 1997 and is a Native non-profit organization.
Jimmy Pyro:
Jimmy Pyro has always been drawn to the power and sound of fire, which he uses to captivate his audience with explosive and dramatic performances. Jimmy is a born thrill seeker and a natural entertainer. He is completely self-taught and enjoys learning new skills and adding new and exciting stunts to his repertoire. Jimmy Pyro has been professionally performing for 10 years and has entertained over 270,000 people. He will leave you talking for years to come and a memory you will never forget. Jimmy Pyro will perform several times throughout the evening. Watch for Jimmy on a boat on the river, the bridge abutment and on the State St. bridge.
Main Stage Entertainment:
2:30-4:30 Boardman Jazz Ensemble
The Boardman High School Jazz Program is recognized as one of the best in Ohio. The Jazz Program consists of 2 full big band jazz ensembles and the exciting 2k24 Pop/Rock Band.
Jazz Ensemble 1 is regularly selected through a blind audition process to perform at the state music education convention. It has appeared at famous jazz clubs including BluJazz in Akron, Swing 46 in NYC and the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati. The group has opened concerts for The Buddy Rich Big Band and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Guest Artists as school concerts include Bernie Dresel, Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal, James Morrison, Willie Murillo, Mike Tomaro, Mark Zaleski, and Mike Kamuf.
2k24 is a gigging pop/rock band that performs at local sporting events, restaurants, local parks, and concerts.
5:30-8:30 Grandview Soul
Grandview Soul is dedicated to entertain you with nothing but the best music you know and love! The band formed in 2019 piecing together passionate and talented musicians, who share a strong love for music.
From playing Motown, Soul and Funk, to Rock and Pop…you won’t be able to stay in your seats, so mark your calendar, grab your boogie shoes, and get ready to dance and sing all night when Grandview Soul is in your town!
9:30-11:00 AC & The Heat
AC & The Heat is a 5-piece American Versatile Variety band from Ohio & Pa. The members have crossed paths on stage many times while working on other projects and with different bands. They came together for the first time opening for Mr. Speed at the Goodyear Theater in Akron, Ohio under the name “Xcess featuring Andrea” in 2021. Their energy was so electric, they were asked to perform for the Rib, White and Blue Festival at Lock 3 in Akron a few months later. For that event, they released their first single, “Finish What You Started.” After fulfilling previous commitments, the members came together to form AC & The Heat in 2023. They opened for the Gin Blossoms at the Southern Park Ribs & Rock Festival June 24th 2023 and will appear again this year with The Clarks. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses a mix of all different genres of music (Funk, Motown, Pop, Disco and Rock) bringing a little something for everyone to enjoy. They know how to bring the fun and start the party with their witty banter, crowd interaction and insane musical talent.
2pm – 7pm Homegrown Initiative’s Discovery Lane
Calling all ages! Join the Homegrown Initiative on Discovery Lane where there is something for everyone. On Discovery Lane you will have the opportunity to be up close and personal with possible career opportunities brought to you by Laurel Technical Institute and the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades. Experience professions such as cosmetology and culinary, programs available at Laurel Technical Institute! Try your hand at operating machinery with simulators from the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades! Discover your future on Discovery Lane!
2:30pm – 5pm The HALFTIME Show
Join us on the green space next to the PNC Children’s Fun Zone for the FIRST EVER WaterFire HALFTIME Show! Be there for a meet and greet with the Gus Macker Mascot, that big yellow guy with the top hat! Followed by special performances from two local dance studios, Dance Center Studios (Locations in: Sharon, Mercer, and Slippery Rock) and The MissElaineous Dance Studio (Sharpsville, PA). In this area you will also find FACE PAINTING and a PHOTO BOOTH. Don’t forget to stop by the WaterFire tent around the corner to get your WaterFire Merch!
8pm – 8:30pm Ally Grande
Ally Grande has been singing and performing in Community Theater for the last 10 years. She has performed in multiple productions with ACTS Sharpsville, The New Castle Playhouse and other community theater groups. She has portrayed various roles in Community and School Productions of Mamma Mia (Sophie), Emma, the Musical (Emma), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and West Side Story (Anita). She also performs regularly at 40 Below, the new performing arts venue in Downtown Sharon. Ally has been a featured soloist at Waterfire Sharon for the last 6 years and she has performed the National Anthem at multiple sporting events, highlighted by an appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in July 2021. Ally can also be seen at various venues around the area. She will be a 3rd year student this fall at Gannon University, majoring in Occupational Therapy. Ally also participates in the University’s Mixed Choir.
Downtown Art Installations:
Take time to visit all the inspiring art installations throughout downtown Sharon. You can walk your way from the Literary Garden at the Shenango Valley Library, to Random InterFace Alley, to Floral Garden Gallery located on Connelly Blvd. to Riverview Gardens Park to enjoy Willow Way and five wood cravings from ash trees. A must see is the HopeCAT Mural located along State St. World renowned mural artist, Joel Bergner, HopeCAT students, local artists and Park Inn by Radisson employees came together to create this one-of-a-kind work of art!
Tagup!
Take selfies and be sure to check in on social media while you enjoy your day and evening at WaterFire Sharon. A check-in on social helps our downtown merchants with visibility and draws more attention to their key presence in the growing vibrancy along the river! Share what you see and enjoy your day in beautiful downtown Sharon. Use our hashtags when you share your fun photos and selfies on social! Hashtag so we can see all the memories you make at! And we might collect a few of our favorites to share on our social profiles.
Ready to Volunteer a few hours?
Have you seen enough to make you want to join in? We welcome new volunteers! Come alone, in a group, whatever works for you! Whether you want to help in the preparation and planning, help set up vendors, work at the information center, tend to the braziers during the evening, or a variety of other areas to lend a hand, WaterFire Sharon would be happy to have you join in. Our volunteers are known to say things like “I met so many new people and made so many new friends” and “It’s fun to be a part of something so big!” and of course “I’m always proud to see so many people come to our area and witness what we have going on here.” Maybe you’ll feel just that same way after experiencing WaterFire as a volunteer. Sign up for the next WaterFire event at the Souvenir and Information center located at the corner of West State Street and S. Water Avenue – in front of the food court. Ask questions and see what you may enjoy the most! If you can’t visit the booth, call our volunteer coordinators Adrianna at (440) 812-7339 or Karen at (724) 301-1868 and they will be happy to fill you in on all the opportunities available to be a part of WaterFire.
Downtown Sharon History Walks – 10am, 12pm, and 2pm
Discover the history of the North Flats area with our famous Downtown Sharon History Walks during WaterFire Sharon, PA!
On Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 10 am, Noon, and 2 pm, join us as we traverse the North Flats neighborhood, discovering its hidden history, with stops at include Shenango Valley Water Co., Sharon post offices, floods (including the 1959 ice flood), Sharon schools/Penn State Shenango campus, Sharon Congregational Church, House of Torah synagogue/Christ the King Catholic Church, Yazvac Place/Sharon patrolman Joesph Yazvac (killed in the line of duty), Harold Brest (bank robber, kidnapper and unsuccessful Alcatraz escapee), the Ashton home, McDowell Manor apartments, the V Bridges, and much more. We can’t wait to see you!
Tours will begin at the Penn State University welcome sign on the corner of East Silver Street and Shenango Avenue, across from the Sharon Post Office, at 32 East Silver Street, Sharon, PA 16146.
Parking may be found on several lots nearby at Penn State, on-street parking, and the Downtown Sharon/The Primary Health Network Parking Garage. All parking is FREE.
For more information, visit: https://sharonhistoricalsociety.com/events
