Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, Illinois is not only one of the most notable attractions in the city, it is also one of the largest fountains in the world. Located in
Grant Park at Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway, the fountain was commissioned by Kate Buckingham in honor of her late brother and unveiled in 1927. Visitors to the area can see the fountain's water display daily from April to October from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. City events and other large activities may alter the scheduling of the water show.
Every hour, Buckingham Fountain creates a water display with one of the jets reaching as high as 150 feet in the air! As the sun sets, the water display is often accompanied by lights and music, producing a more dramatic effect. Using over 800 lights, the fountain re-circulates the water used in the display for more efficiency as the capacity of it is over 1 million gallons of water!
The fountain has many beautiful touches such as its Georgia pink marble construction. It has four sea horses which represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan, one of the great lakes. There are several important things to note. First, wind conditions and other types of inclement weather may postpone the water display. In addition, in late 2008, some renovation work is scheduled which may temporarily close the fountain. Otherwise, Buckingham Fountain is open to the public and free for all to enjoy. It is quite a sight to see, particularly at dusk, so you should try to make a point and visit if you are in the Chicago area.
