September 24th, 2022

Orb Lighters (click image to read details)

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.

Just Two Guitars – Tyler Guerrieri and Brian Williams

Tyler Guerrieri is a graduate from YSU Dana School of Music with a degree in Guitar performance. Tyler performs at various Wineries, Festivals, Country Clubs, Restaurants, Musicals, and other private events. He is the lead guitarist for the band Guy’s Without Ties and The Decades. He has filled in as a guitarist for The Manhattan Band. Tyler is the worship director at Struthers Parkside Church. Big performances include the Ohio State Fair at the mainstage, Firestone Farms opening for Beatlemania, Escape A Journey Tribute, Waterfire Sharon Pa. He has performed solo guitar during the Holidays at Fellow’s Riverside Gardens for their annual Christmas tree display, Liberty, Cortland, Howland, Warren, Canfield, and East Palestine Memorial Libraries. He has performed musicals for Poland High School spring productions of Shrek and Emma A Pop Musical, Austintown High School and David Anderson Jr/Sr High School for their musicals of Mama Mia. He has also performed for other musicals including 57^th St. and Dinner with the Addams at Top Hat Productions and at the Oakland Center Theater for the Arts for Hair and Spring Awakens, Youngstown Playhouse for the musical A Chorus Line. Tyler also a John Phillip Sousa Award Winner and an Inductee of the Scott Gearheart Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Brian Williams started with a Sousaphone, which surprisingly did not sit well with the family pet, so the guitar seemed like an accepted alternative. His experiences include a multitude of local bands and solo performances, having played all genre’s of music, from classical to country, rock to gospel, performing in all kinds of venues.  More recently, his energy has been with an acoustic guitar duo, called “Just Two Guitars” which I provide background support to a very talented lead guitarist, Tyler Guerrieri.

Brian is looking forward to celebrating WaterFire Sharon PA’s 10^th anniversary.

Melina Liszka, from Greenville, developed an interest in music and theater at the age of 12. She started with ensemble roles at the Pierce Opera House in Sharpsville and has also appeared in several musical productions under the direction of Sue Wentz at the Academy Theater in Meadville. While in high school, Melina held the lead role as Belle in the production of Beauty and the Beast and Sophie in in Mamma Mia. Melina performs regularly at 40 Below in Sharon and various events around the community including the USO Show for the last 5 years and Princess Belle at the Gatehouse Winery in Jamestown, PA. Melina is a sophomore at Thiel College studying elementary education/special education. She is also a member of the Thiel Choir and Chambers Singers.

Twirling Angels Perform on the State St. Bridge between 3:30-4:30pm

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.

Hyp-Gnosis by Emerald Alchemy perform on the State St. Bridge between 5:00-6:00pm

AEtheric Alchemy drumming circle will perform a variety of music. The physical sensory nature of drumming provides a unique aesthetic experience. Recent research indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and assists in releasing emotional trauma. Drumming has a positive effect on anxiety, grief, fatigue, depression and behavioral issues. You don’t want to miss this!!

Youngstown’s EPIC Band — 8:00pm-10:30pm

Youngstown’s EPIC Band was formed in 2015 and performs high energy dance rock music featuring classic rock with a mix of today’s hits! EPIC has opened for national acts including Warrant, SkidRow, Hinder and Great White. Band members are:  Fred Barr, lead vocalist; Thomas Jacobs, guitar and backup vocals; Jimmy Jet, drummer and vocalist and Todd Kilgore, bass and backup vocals.

Diehl Automotive Touch-a-Truck — 3pm-7pm

Enjoy the opportunity to see the Myron’s Meal Mobile up close! The Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County will have this colorful, fun bus on display for all to enjoy. Large farm equipment, large construction vehicles, semi-trucks and so much more! Join us between Water St. and Main Ave.!

 

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Downtown Art Installations

Have you walked down Central Way? Located off Vine Ave., this new 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. 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 “Random Interface Alley”, the “Literary Garden” at the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, the “Dueling Pianos” and “World Peace Drum” located on West State Street beside George Junior Republic sculpture “It’s a Wonderful World”, and the “Willow way” and five Ash tree carvings, located in the Riverview Gardens Park… and more to discover. See the “Art Walk” map to create your own adventure. Find them all and tag #waterfiresharon2022 along the way!

Don’t Miss the Sharon Historical Society Walking Tours – 12pm, 2pm & 4pm

Join the Sharon Historical Society for our famous Downtown Sharon History Walks which will focus on the Prospect Heights neighborhood, an area not covered before. Walks are free but donations are appreciated and will depart from the northside of C.M. Musser Elementary School, 500 Cedar Avenue, Sharon, PA, at Noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Stops to include the Oakland Avenue Viaduct, Prospect Heights/Musser Schools, the Prindle Family Homestead, neighborhood groceries, sacred spaces, grand homes, and the 1947 tornado path. Rare photographs and interesting stories will be printed in our collectible booklet. The Walk route is approximately 1.2 miles and at times on grassy and/or uneven terrain. Please wear walking shoes. Parking can be found at several lots and streets nearby at C.M. Musser Elementary School. If parking on the streets, please be conscientious of driveways, street corners, fire hydrants, and more. Additional parking can be found at St. Stanislaus Kostka, 370 Spruce, and East Side Church, 201 Spruce. Come take a glimpse into our rich history! For more information, please visit SharonHistoricalSociety.com

Tag up!!

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 to keep the event going??

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 coordinator at (724) 301-1868 and Karen will be happy to fill you in on all the opportunities available to be a part of WaterFire.