Favored with fine weather, Waterfire KC draws hundreds to Brush Creek

Hundreds of people lined the banks of Brush Creek Saturday night at the Country Club Plaza to witness the spectacle of WaterFire KC, a visual arts installation that brings together floating fires, classical music and, organizers hope, community.

The 10th annual performance in Kansas City of WaterFire, first created by Barnaby Evans in Rhode Island, began Saturday at 7 p.m. with a procession of torch-bearing participants to the creek, where some used boats to light 31 braziers floating in a line up and down the waterway.

For the next three hours, the event promised fire spinners, singers, brightly lit puppets, a performance by Quixotic, and a recreation of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in honor of Union Station’s coming exhibition on Pompeii. On a cool, clear night, the event was packed.

“It’s bringing the community together,” said Cheryl Kimmi, executive producer of KC Creates, which has organized Waterfire for the past two years. “It’s bringing people from all walks of life to stroll around, enjoy the ambience and the beauty of the fire.”

Among those enjoying the event Saturday were Richard and Angie Vega, of Leavenworth, along with their three children. The family had come to the Plaza for other activities, but stayed to see the performance. “I think it’s a cool festival,” Richard said.

Angie agreed. “I think it’s going to be really neat.”

For more information about Waterfire KC, visit waterfirekc.com.

This story was originally published October 1, 2016 at 9:19 PM with the headline "Favored with fine weather, Waterfire KC draws hundreds to Brush Creek."