Festival reveals three themes

Staff report

SHARON, PA.

The themes have been unveiled for each of the three WaterFire Sharon festivals this year.

They are:

July 15: “Back to Our Roots – Honoring Ancestry.”

Aug. 19: “Celebrate America – United We Stand.”

Sept. 23: “Broadway and More.”

“We’re carefully planning [the three events] so each has a different flair,” said Chip Mastrian, co-chair of the festival.

Alane Jewel, artist and board member, agreed.

“When you visit “Back to Our Roots,” we want you to be intrigued enough to come back to participate in the next two events,” she said.

The festival, now in its fifth year, also will have an expanded children’s area. As always, it will cover the downtown streets from the intersection of East State and Dock streets, through West State and Main streets. Admission is free.

The signature of every WaterFire festival is the dozens of wood-burning 50 braziers anchored to the surface of the Shenango River. After a full day of arts and music, the evening takes on a new spirit with the ceremonial lighting of the braziers, which remain burning until midnight.

The schedule of music and other entertainers for each festival will be released in the near future.

Last year’s WaterFire events drew tens of thousands of people and boosted business at area hotels, restaurants and shops.

WaterFire festivals take place in two dozen cities across the globe. It was created by artist Barnaby Evans in Providence, R.I., in the early 1990s as a way to lure people into the downtown area.

Financial contributions to WaterFire Sharon are tax deductible. For information on how to donate or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, call Janet at 724-301-1828.

For information about the festivals or to apply as an art and craft or food vendor, go to waterfiresharonpa.org. A juried selection process has been established to ensure the quality of vendors.