Click to Enlarge Entertainment Flyer & Orb Lighter Details
Shop for Original Artwork at Our Artisan Marketplace! 2-10pm
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 creatives who make amazing handmade fine art. Whether it is 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.
This Saturday you’ll find artisan tents full of beautiful, 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. Tom and Tina Bowersox from Meadville, PA, craft stunning wire-wrapped jewelry and vibrant suncatchers that capture light and imagination, blending intricate artistry with a touch of whimsy in every piece. Also, look for Phil Thomas, an artist based in Youngstown, OH, who brings a burst of life and color to everyday scenes with his vibrant still life, floral, and food paintings. Working primarily with acrylics, Phil captures the beauty of the ordinary, transforming it into extraordinary pieces of art. His creativity extends beyond the canvas with art prints and stickers, making his joyful and dynamic designs accessible to everyone.
Need a food break? Stop by our Food Court! 2-10pm
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.
Unleash Your Imagination at the PNC Bank Children’s Fun Zone! 3-7pm
Get ready for a blast at the PNC Bank Children’s Fun Zone at WaterFire, located at the corner of State St and Shenango St, where kids can unleash their creativity and have a great time. Imagine making colorful sand art, painting cool stones, designing funky necklaces, and crafting a tote bag to carry all your amazing creations home! Plus, the award-winning Robotics team from Sharon Area School District will be there, showcasing their impressive robots and sharing their secrets. Parents, be sure to stick around as your little ones dive into a day filled with creativity, excitement, and pure joy!
Diehl Automative Touch a Truck 3-7pm
Have you wanted to get up close and personal with a big rig, tractor or a fire truck? Here is your opportunity! Big “kids” and little kids will have chance to explore, touch and learn about farm equipment, construction vehicles, fire and emergency trucks and so much more. Join us between Water St. and Main Ave. along with the Sharon City Center parking lot!
Looking for a new car or truck, our sponsor, Diehl Automotive, will have new vehicles on display too!
Special “Thank you” to Rien Construction, Paul O’Brien and Jimmy Sexton for organizing the equipment.
A Nostalgic Celebration of Past and Present
Join us for an unforgettable evening at WaterFire Sharon, PA as we celebrate with our theme, “Do You Remember?” This year, we’re revisiting past events with cherished decorations, interactive activities, and engaging entertainment. Relive the excitement through photos and videos from previous years, provided by Leanne Lee and Jerry Stigliano.
Explore the rich history of Sharon, PA with historical photos and informative captions from the Sharon Historical Society. Don’t miss this chance to experience the allure of WaterFire and create new memories with us!
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Take a special “Walk Down Memory Lane” this September at WaterFire Sharon, PA. Located on the green space at the corner of Shenango St and State St, this reflective display will showcase photos from past WaterFire events, provided by Leanne Lee, alongside captivating video footage by Jerry Stigliano. As you journey through these visual memories, let the past come alive and encourage reflection on cherished moments of WaterFire’s history. This unique experience is designed to reconnect you with the essence of past celebrations and inspire new memories. Join us to celebrate and reminisce as we relive the wonder of WaterFire together.
Explore Sharon’s Past: Historical Photo Display
Discover a unique glimpse into Sharon’s past with the Sharon Historical Society’s special photo display near McDonald’s on State Street. This exhibit features a collection of historical photos of Sharon, PA, each with intriguing facts on the reverse side. As you explore this temporary wall, immerse yourself in the stories and milestones that have shaped our community. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the rich history of Sharon, PA!
State Street Entertainment
Twirling Angels | State St Bridge | 3pm – 4pm
The Twirling Angels are a baton twirling group that train out of Sharpsville Pa. Missy Colbert started the group back in 1999 with just a small parade group and the group has now flourished into 100+ individual students along with many teams. Both the team and individual twirlers compete all year round. Each twirler performing here today is part of a state, regional or international champion team. Many of our twirlers also twirl for their high schools and colleges. We have members from age 3 all the way up to 21.
Ukuladies | Ukulele Island | 4:30pm -6:30pm
The Ukuladies are a group of high-energy, kinda wild gals who love their ukes and get a kick out of making music together! Since 2019, it has been their pleasure to have performed at Penn State Shenango University and the Hermitage Earth Fests. They have played for Hermitage Buhl Day, Sharon WaterFire, and many organizations and events all over Mercer, Lawrence, and Crawford counties. They love music, have so much fun, but best of all, they love the smiles on the faces of their audiences! Catch them performing in front of McDonald’s near the Touch-a-Truck.
WaterFire Welcomes Rick Hale, performing on the Shenango River
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics, focusing on quantitative analysis and experimental economics, Rick Hale lived in Philadelphia while working for Kepler Group, a NYC based marketing agency. At Kepler, he developed his Marketing acumen as he worked on large banks, universities and national retailers accounts. During Covid he chose to “work from home” from a Sharon location rather than Philly. It was also during that time he pursued his passion for music and was accepted into Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) College of Fine Arts. While studying at CMU, Rick performed the title role in “Der Kaiser Von Atlantis” along with principle roles in Mozart’s “The Impressario” and Menotti’s “The Telephone.” Rick graduated in spring of 2024 with his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and a concentration in Opera, while studying under Daniel Teadt.
Rick spent summer of 2024 performing in the Adirondacks at Seagle Festival, in Schroon Lake NY. Cast as Inman in the opera Cold Mountain (based on the book and movie), he had the opportunity to perform for the opera’s composer, Jennifer Higdon. Higdon visited Seagle as it was Cold Mountain’s New York debut. In addition to Cold Mountain, Rick performed supporting roles in Brigadoon, Don Giovanni and Sweeney Todd.
Rick resides in downtown Pittsburgh PA, where he enjoys living in a culturally rich area. “I appreciate having so many opportunities to perform with world-class musicians in Pittsburgh. In addition to performing, my intention is to share how classical music can benefit all aspects of our lives. Studies are clear that exposure to classical music improves memory, focus, concentration, quality of sleep, and even spatial reasoning. All this while reducing stress, blood pressure, and certain pain. I think what that says is classical music really is for everyone” he added.
Watch for Rick as he performs from the boats during the evening. In keeping with the events theme, “Do You Remember”, he will be performing numbers that the audience may just have a quick stroll down memory lane with. He’ll also perform a few selections from a more classical/theater style. To connect with Rick, visit his website: www.rickhalebaritone.com
Welcome Back, Rick!
River Festivities – 7-10pm
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 10pm. 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.
Don’t Miss the History Walks During Sept’s WaterFire!
Join the Sharon Historical Society for our Downtown Sharon History Walks during WaterFire Sharon. We will focus on West State Street, the oldest section of the city! Stops to include the Luna/Nuluna Theater, The Sharon Store (The Winner), the Alpha Theater/Lurie building, the Morgan Grand Opera House, Porter Way, the majestic Columbia Theatre, North Water Avenue businesses, a mid-1800s house on West State that became a hotel and restaurant, the Applegate Block/Dinner Bell restaurant, the Carver House hotel, the Daus barbershop, the Exchange Hotel, the now-demolished business block on the south side of West State, and more!
The History Walks will be approximately 1.5-2 hours over a 2-mile route of flat terrain, sometimes uneven. Rare photographs and interesting stories will be printed in our collectible booklet!
TIME CHANGE: Due to the crowds expected at WaterFire Sharon, PA we have moved the tour times so our group can have the best experience possible. Tours this year will be 10:00 am, Noon/12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024. These are FREE and OPEN TO ALL!! Donations are appreciated!
Tours will begin at the Veterans’ Walkway between The Winner and Donna’s Diner (10 West State Street, Sharon, PA 16146).
Parking may be found on several lots nearby at the Sharon City Centre plaza, on-street parking, and the Downtown Sharon/Primary Health Network Parking Garage. All parking is FREE.
Discover all the Public Art Installations in Downtown Sharon!
Look for the newest addition to public art in downtown Sharon. Artist Royce Umberger is adding his mark on the Evolve building in “Musician’s Alley.” Also, walk down Central Way, located off Vine Ave., this artsy walkway is fondly called “Sam’s Alley” as tribute to Artist Sam Perry and his belief in and dedication to this project. Another must see is the amazing Joel Bergner Hope CAT mural located on West State St. and the Labyrinth on the pavement in front of the mural. See other art installations created in Sharon that include the “Choose to Fly” silhouette mural, across from the Sharon Municipal Building on W. Connelly Blvd, the “Flower Garden Gallery” located on W. Connelly Blvd., the “Literary Garden” at the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, the “Doors to the Past” and “Column Monument” located on West State Street beside George Junior Republic sculpture “It’s a Wonderful World”, and the “Willow Way”, the “Gallery Garden” and five Ash tree carvings, located in the Riverview Gardens Park… and more to discover. Find them all and tag #waterfiresharon2024 along the way!
Main Stage Entertainment sponsored by The Winner Family Foundation
Juvenile Characteristics 4-6:30pm
Juvenile Characteristics is a 5-piece acoustic/electric band committed to playing our own original music and our favorite covers. The covers we choose to play are songs that we would want to listen to if we were going to see live music. Our original music is written from our hearts based on our experiences and dreams.
Original members, Jason Hummell, Kris Chapman, and Jason Sample started the band in early 2009 and played together for most of 5 years. In early 2014, they decided to add Mitch Adelman to the mix complementing their unique sound, and in 2019 Geoff Marenchin was added to complete the band. Many changes have accompanied their musical growth over the course of 10+ years including the addition of new instruments, percussion and more intricate harmonies, but one thing has never changed…the shows are fun and atmosphere is always filled with love!! The live experience is what we thrive on, but this is an opportunity for us to provide you with the musical aspect of the experience with Juvenile Characteristics. Thanks, peace and love.
Four Kings & a Queen 8-10pm
A funky, soulful, jazzy, rocking kind of experience that will make you want to get up and dance to the point of exhaustion! Enjoy a mix of classic, R & B, Motown and so much more. Grab your dancing partner and shoes!
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 at (724) 456-0996 and they will be happy to fill you in on all the opportunities available to be a part of WaterFire.
