Up Close With WaterFire

The thick scent of burning wood floats through the air and the tiniest wisp of smoke seems to be wafting across the Providence skyline. I am standing, enamored with all around me, in the tent of the elite Brazier Society at WaterFire. The Brazier Society welcomes companies and individuals who generously give to the non-profit and I have been invited as a guest. Not only does this mean delicious hor d’oeuvres and drinks, but it includes an opportunity to get up close and personal with the braziers on the Woonasquatucket River.

As I eagerly wait at the Brazier Society tent, a page comes to my party and leads us to the boats. I come to the dock where my boat awaits and look at the large eight seater floating peacefully on the river. I feel a fleeting moment of panic that I will fall in the water, but the smell of burning wood is heavy now and I feel as though I am entering a dream-like state. As I step down into the boat I find I am so close to a brazier that I can feel the heat of the fire radiating from it.

The boat is launched and we begin our journey; I am suddenly in awe of how quiet it is. Though there are people crowded around the river, all looking down at us and the river lit with braziers, I barely notice them. I am breathless as we approach the basin and I see the dancing flames of light and all I hear are the soft crackles and pops of the luminous braziers. By the time our half hour boat ride ends, I am in love. I am in love with WaterFire, and I am in love with Providence.

Full lighting on Saturday, September 24
WaterFire.org