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Wanted, soggy or dry: WaterFire looks to identify woman who jumped into river to rescue rabbit

The popular Providence art installation is forming a “team of artists and detectives” to find out more about last month's daring rescue ahead of an upcoming children's book.

A man named Rob, one of the WaterFire fire tenders who helped pull a woman and a rabbit from the water on July 4, holds the animal following the rescue. The photo was taken by Chris Donovan, who is also a fire tender. Chris Donovan/Courtesy Photo via The Boston Globe

By Abby Patkin

The legend of the great WaterFire rabbit rescue continues.

In last month’s daring feat, a woman leaped into the Providence River during WaterFire’s Fourth of July lighting and braved the murky water to save a bunny. WaterFire volunteers brought the pair to shore, but the woman disappeared into the crowd — rabbit in hand — before organizers could identify her. 

Now, WaterFire is forming a “team of artists and detectives” to find out more about the viral incident, and organizers are asking for the public’s help. WaterFire released two “wanted” posters last week in an attempt to identify the rescuer and track down the whereabouts of the rabbit, nicknamed “Mr. Bunaby Bunny” after WaterFire creator, executive artistic director, and co-CEO Barnaby Evans.

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WaterFire even offered some cheeky descriptors and fanciful backstories for both woman and rabbit, suggesting Mr. Bunaby “was engaged in an important State undercover operation prior to his disappearance.”

The organization is seeking children’s help solving the mystery, encouraging youngsters to send in drawings that show Mr. Bunaby and “Ms. Jane Doe Bunny Rescuer,” dramatized scenes from the “legendary rescue,” or general WaterFire highlights. The public art installation features dozens of braziers placed throughout the rivers of downtown Providence, and the festival-like lightings tend to draw sizable crowds.

WaterFire released two “wanted” posters last week in an attempt to identify the woman who jumped into the Providence River during the Fourth of July lighting to rescue a rabbit, dubbed “Mr. Bunaby Bunny.” – WaterFire Providence

There are potential awards on the line for the best drawings, and organizers say the submissions will help WaterFire research and publish a children’s book about the rescue.

“We are working on a fascinating new story about an intrepid bunny and his adventures in the park with WaterFire and what he learns about life,” Evans said in a press release. “The book will create a new family tradition for WaterFire while sharing some of Rhode Island’s rich history in a fun way.” 

Set for release in the early fall, “The WaterFire Bunny” is a collaboration between author Kiki Latimer and illustrator Bunny Griffeth, who also created the 2009 children’s book “The WaterFire Duck,” according to the release. 

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Children (and adults) can submit drawings online at bunny.waterfire.org, or at the WaterFire “Bunny Central Bureau Office” on College Street during lightings. WaterFire will be accepting drawings for the remainder of its season, presenting awards for the top submissions at each full lighting. Evans is also offering a “special award” for “Ms. Jane Doe Bunny Rescuer,” urging the mysterious heroine to get in touch with WaterFire at [email protected]. 

“While we certainly don’t want anyone swimming through the fires, we do recognize the intent to protect wildlife,” Evans said. “It is a core value of our organization.”

According to Evans, the upcoming children’s book and the search for Mr. Bunaby will also help WaterFire address ongoing fundraising challenges and attract some much-needed support.

“We create a community arts event at every WaterFire. Now we have a Bunny story to celebrate as well,” Evans said. “WaterFire develops fun adventures for entire families, including intrepid bunnies and their young friends.”