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PROVIDENCE - Inspired by tranquility.

That might be the exact wish Waterfire organizers have for those who visit the popular, award-winning fire sculpture installation by Barnaby Evans. It's been lighting up the three rivers of downtown Providence since 1994 and continues to delight locals and tourists with its display of sparkling bonfires, gondola rides, street performers and city ambiance.

Some say it's hard not to get inspired, swept up in the event's European feel, romantic atmosphere and crowd enthusiasm.

"I just got that feeling inside, you know," said Joe Gallagher, obviously among those who find Waterfire's charm hard to resist. "It's very peaceful and relaxing, and it's just a different place."

Gallagher, 49, is among the hundreds of dedicated volunteers Waterfire organizers depend on to make the event run smoothly. Waterfire, which helped revitalize downtown Providence, has attracted more than 10 million visitors since it began. Gallagher visited Waterfire a "few" times before deciding to help out at the event.

"I like to volunteer," he said. "I was just looking for something to do, outside of my own stuff. The draw was that I just want other people to experience it."

In his years as a volunteer, Gallagher has performed nearly every duty at Waterfire. He's steered the gondolas, stoked the fires, built the fires, and built boats.

"I've done repair work, I've been an ambassador," he said. "Many things. Just about anything and everything."

And though he's never gotten to witness any of the many engagements that happen on those gondolas, he said all the long hours and hard work are worth it.

On lighting days - which have been reduced this year because of funding - crews are needed from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., and volunteers sign up for blocks of time.

"You do it when you have time available," Gallagher said. "When shifts (overlap) we have lunch and meet with people. So you sit down and have that fellowship part of it as well."

When all is said and done, Gallagher believes every visitor will take away from the experience what he has all these years.

"I know what it did for me," he said. "It's a detachment, almost an escape from the hectic, day to day kind of stuff. It's peaceful. That's the biggest word I can use. And that's why I do it. To bring that to other people."

REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com. Opening fire

Watefire returns for the 2008 season Saturday, with lighting at sunset (8:08 p.m.)

Highlights of the evening include:

E Foxtrot Waltz & Swing at the intersection of Westminster and Weybosset streets in the financial district; free dance class at 7 p.m.; open dancing with live music from 8 p.m. to midnight.

E Compaq Big Band at 8 p.m.

E Brown University Ballroom Dance Team and Brown Swing Club at 9 p.m.

E WRIK Entertainment DJ

E Tableaux Vivant, a "slice of life" cast of live characters that interact with the audience, on display from 8 to 11 p.m. at the entrance to the Sovereign Plaza Ballroom at Westminster Street and Memorial Boulevard.

For more special events, visit www.waterfire.org.

2008 schedule

Waterfire lights on the following dates and times:

Saturday, May 24 at 8:08 p.m.

Friday, May 30 at 8:13 p.m.

Saturday, June 21 at 8: 24 p.m.

Saturday, June 28 at 8:25 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 2 at 8:02 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 16 at 7:44 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 30 at 7:22 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 13 at 6:58 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 20 at 6:46 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 27 at 6:34 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 11 at 6:10 p.m.

Partial lightings (portion of the full installation, generally less crowded)

Tuesday, June 3 at 8:16 p.m. Basin only

Wednesday, June 18 at 8:24 p.m. Basin only

Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:51 p.m. Steeple Street to Providence Place

Friday, Sept. 19th at 6:47 p.m. Steeple Street to Providence Place