WaterFire festival returns to Sharon

Staff report

SHARON, PA.

WaterFire Sharon, the unique art event, will return Saturday for the first of three summer festivals in the downtown area.

The free event (the other two will be Aug. 20 and Sept. 24) will include top-level entertainment, art, food and music.

The fest culminates in the lighting ceremony of 50 braziers anchored to the surface of the Shenango River at dusk. The fires give off a warm aroma and burn until midnight as the festival continues.

“Since its inaugural event in 2013, WaterFire Sharon has drawn more than 200,000 visitors to Sharon,” said Peggy Mazyck, Visit Mercer County executive director. “We invite people to visitSharonPa.com and register for the chance to win $100 in Tourism Bucks for their next visit to downtown Sharon.”

The theme for Saturday’s festival is “Through the Decades.” It begins at noon and includes an artisan marketplace, food vendors, live music, a family-friendly children’s art and activity area, interactive street demos, fire performers, a merchandise tent and more.

The actual WaterFire Sharon performances begin at dusk.

Visitors are encouraged to stroll through town during the event.