Kris Craig
A light Bright Night closed out 2012 in the city Monday as a half-day of performance and activities drew hundreds of people downtown, but nowhere near the crowds that in previous years created cacophonous human gridlocks in Kennedy Plaza.
Providence's Bright Night celebration returned for its 10th year with more than 100 performers at a dozen downtown locations. The activities got under way Monday at noon with an array of family activies, including storytelling, face painting, magic and music. Nighttime events included performances by the Rhode Island Children's Chorus, the Big Nazo Band, jazz saxophonist Greg Abate and others.
Alas, there were no fireworks during Bright Night this year, as organizers adhered to an ordinance that prohibits pyrotechnics within 200 feet of buildings.