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Good morning 👋 ,

Today I cover a brief history of WaterFire and highlight a beautiful loft for sale in the Jewelry District. I hope no one else washed their car on Saturday only for it to get rained on yesterday 🤦‍♂️. It seems like after Tuesday the rain will go away.

Thanks for reading today’s edition and I hope you enjoy it.

Tide Trivia

Today’s Question:

Which river runs through downtown Providence, and is famous for the WaterFire event held along its banks?

A) Charles River

B) Mystic River

C) Woonasquatucket River

D) Providence River

(the answer can be found in the last line of this newsletter.)

Currents & Waves

A Brief History of WaterFire

As someone who has lived in Providence for 20 years, and attended many WaterFire lightings, I had no idea about its origin. I was interested in learning about it and thought it would be a good topic to write about, in case you were in the same boat as me.

Here’s what I found out about WaterFire.

It all started in 1994 when Barnaby Evans created First Fire, a sculpture to celebrate the tenth anniversary of First Night Providence (an art event in December that no longer exists). In 1996 Evans created another sculpture, Second Fire, for the International Sculpture Conference.

Eventually, supporters of Evans's art rallied for an ongoing fire installation, starting an effort to establish WaterFire. With the help of volunteers, donations, and support from the city and state, WaterFire is now a regular event.

In 1997 WaterFire had 42 braziers and attracted an estimated 350,000 visitors. In 1998 it expanded to 81 braziers, then 100 in 1999. In 2006, WaterFire celebrated its 200th lightning. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of WaterFire lighting in Providence.

If you are interested in attending WaterFire, the next full lighting will be on Saturday, August 31st starting at sunset.

Harbor Highlights

📸 A watercolor painting of a Saturday night WaterFire.

Coastline Commerce

• 🤩 A beautiful loft in the Jewelry District featuring wood floors, ceilings, and exposed brick walls is up for sale.

• 🍂 Rhode Island may have a warmer and wetter fall than usual.

• 🧁 Solitro’s Bakery in Cranston closed on Sunday after 75 years.

• 🎒 WPRI 12 is hosting a back-to-school supply drive.

Seaside Skies

MONDAY

80°🌡 62° | ⛈️ | 💧 60% | 💨 S 10 mph

TUESDAY

72°🌡 55° | 🌤️ | 💧 24% | 💨 NNW 10 mph

(The forecast as of the night before this newsletter was published.)

Sound Waves

MONDAY

The Parlour | Foundation Mondays | 9pm | $5, 21+

TUESDAY

The Parlour | Metal Night | 9pm | $5

The 133 Club | Tuesday Nights with Matt Martin & the Day Drinkers | 7pm

Moonshine Alley | Tuesdays with Pat Lowell and Friends | 7pm

Maritime Matches

No sporting events are scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.

That’s all for today…

Thank you for reading all the way through! Feel free to email us with any questions or suggestions. You’ll hear from us again on Wednesday.

Thanks,

Oscar Punchak | Publisher, PVD Current

Answer: D) Providence River