Sharon, PA .– July 15, 2020 – “WaterFire Sharon” has cancelled its September 19 event due to the continued uncertainty caused by COVID-19. September 19 was to be the final WaterFire event of the season.
Like other events, WaterFire Sharon had to revisit its plans for 2020. “Although we can’t know what the future holds for fall, we felt it best to cancel the September event for safety reasons. We embrace all measures being suggested by the Department of Health and CDC in order to stay healthy and keep our attendees, staff, volunteers and performers healthy. As the recommendations for social distancing and wearing masks continue, it would be a challenge to conduct a WaterFire event while following the recommendations” said Karen Winner Sed, Co-Chair of WaterFire Sharon. Social distancing is a concern due to the large crowds drawn to downtown Sharon for the WaterFire events. “Although we were hopeful to have a September lighting, it takes many months of planning and labor to prepare for the event. We’d be gearing up now in the many preparations necessary to be ready for the September WaterFire. That’s why we had to make a decision now whether or not to cancel, and safety made that decision for us” added Winner Sed.
WaterFire Sharon was scheduled to host its 8th season during 2020. A day long event of arts, live entertainment and music meets an evening of entertainment and fires on the Shenango River. Requiring over 200 volunteers to conduct, each lighting is designed to be a different experience for attendees. The lightings are free to attend and handicapped accessible. Although once seen in other areas and countries, WaterFire events are now only seen in Providence RI, Kansas City MO, and Sharon PA. “It’s an honor to have such an artistic event in Sharon. We want to continue to bring it to the area, as it is truly unique and seen only in a few places in the world – with Sharon being one! We went about this season with an abundance of caution” said Jen Barborak, Director of River Operations for the event.
Further information is available about the event, or how to get involved at www.waterfiresharon.org, or by contacting the office at 724/301-1868.
WaterFire Sharon is a charitable fund with an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio (www.comm-foundation.org).
