The countdown to summer in Chicago ramped up on Saturday as a popular landmark was turned on for the warmer months.
Buckingham Fountain returned for the season during the 12th annual Switch on Summer festival, a partnership between the Chicago Park District and ComEd. The annual event kicks off summer programming downtown like Night Out in the Parks and other cultural events in Grant Park.
A northern Illinois resident who was selected through a sweepstakes flipped the switch, marking the return of one of the world’s largest fountains.
“While in operation, the Fountain produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour,” the Park District explained on its website. “During the major display, a center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air.”
Throughout the season, major shows take place daily at 9:00 a.m. and continue each hour. After dusk, a lights and music display occurs at the beginning of each hour.
The last display each day is at 10:35 p.m., with the fountain shutting down at 10:55 p.m.
Visitors and residents will have many opportunities to see the fountain in action until it closes for the season in late October.