Start to finish: WaterFire Roma preps

ROME, ITALY (WPRI) - Before two nights of WaterFire could go on in the ancient city of Rome, there was a lot of preparation.

• Photos: Ciao Italy! WaterFire debuts in Rome

The Tiber River went from plain, running water to a spectacle, of bright flames.

"We were doing a little clean up, we cleaned up the center span for the bridge where the dancers are going to be during the event and then we straightened out trying to put the anchors in for where the braziers are going to be," said Bob Hopkins, a volunteer from Bristol, Rhode Island.

Marking the spots for each brazier takes a lot of hands.

"There's a center line that everything is tied to and then we tied knots in at the locations where the braziers are going to be anchored. And then there's separate lines that are tied off of that that we slide the anchors down and then the braziers are going to be tied to their lines," continued Hopkins.

Each of the braziers was built by a Venetian chandelier maker. And just like most furniture, some assembly was required. Every single brazier was put together by the crew.

"The baskets, the stars, the particular way that they're anchored to the bottom, it's all real important to make sure that it works well."

Once assembled, they made their way into the water and were brought to their proper location.

With such a small crew working in Rome, being a versatile team member made setup run smooth.

"I have never installed or done this component. I'm usually on the wood boats setting it up on the day of. But I haven't been on one of their away trips like to Kansas City or Columbus or even to Singapore last year when they actually installed the braziers, so this is a whole learning experience for me," admitted Kathleen Sprague, another volunteer.

Boats were loaded with the wood to keep the fires burning bright, bags were stuffed with newspaper and lighter fluid to spark the fires fast, and even the performers arrived early to get into costume and get just the right look.

Next, the braziers were lit and the river took on an entirely new look, bringing the locals a taste of what WaterFire Providence has to offer.

"When you create the right environment, people act in the proper way, in the proper manner so it's all very exciting," said Bronwyn Dannenfelser, from WaterFire Providence.

Hundreds showed up both nights to take in the atmosphere of fire, music, and of course, the performances.

There weren't gondolas or fire spinners like in Providence, but they did have an aerial hoops artist and a moving number that drew quite the crowd.

WaterFire returns to RI for full lighting

Meanwhile, back home in Rhode Island. WaterFire Providence has planned a full lighting for September 29.

WaterFire is partnering with the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island to celebrate 100 years of scouting.

The GSRI will kick of the evening just before sunset with an inspiring “bridging ceremony” in Waterplace Park where 100 girls will cross the Bridge of Stars in the basin symbolizing their growth within the organization and in their own lives.

Starting at approximately 8:30 p.m., 100 Girl Scouts will lead a luminaria procession to Memorial Park where their luminaria and dedications of hope, inspiration and dreams for the future will be placed around the signature Girl Scouts Trefoil and burn all night long. 

There's plenty of fun happening at WaterFire Providence this weekend, be sure to check out waterfire.org for the full schedule.