WaterFire to host first public outreach event Saturday

WaterFire officials will hold their first public outreach event Saturday night to gather input from the community about establishing an installation on the Peconic River.

Barnaby Evans, founder and artist of WaterFire, and Lisa Lowenstein, liaison for philanthropy and outreach, will speak to locals alongside Riverhead and Southampton town officials from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Duke Chancellor’s Hall, part of Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus.

Riverhead leaders gave their support to WaterFire in October and Southampton officials have jumped on board as well. East End Arts is also supporting the initiative.

If WaterFire comes to town, bonfires would float on the Peconic River and a boardwalk on the shore would host music, food and a variety of other free events.

WaterFire’s promotional flyer for the public outreach event states that the installation “requires philanthropy and volunteers” and that it will create jobs and “take back the night.”

Installations currently exist in Providence, Rhode Island and Sharon Pennsylvania. In the past, WaterFire has had exhibits in Columbus, Ohio, Houston, Singapore and Rome.

Seating is limited to Saturday’s event.