If there is one touristy spot in the mid-west that I don't think will ever grow tiresome for me it would be the Musical Fountain in Grand Haven, Michigan. As it is frequently mis-labeled but none-the-less accurate, the "Magical Fountain". I realize that I am partial to this particular summertime attraction because it is something I have grown up enjoying and has a decent amount of nostalgic value for me. However, I still find it an incredibly beautiful show night after night. The Musical Fountain is a synchronized light and water show on the main hillside of the Grand Haven pier (Dewey Hill). The 20-25 minute shows run from memorial day all the way through labor day (and on weekends in May and September). There was a point there a few years back where I started thinking it was getting a little bit hokey and I didn't know how much longer it could continue to provide this free nightly show to the Grand Haven community. That fear has since evaporated after I witnessed the show last night. They have updated their music selections (ie. James Blunt mixed with a Robert E Lee Show tune) and in addition the music flowed beautifully with the color of the lights and the fountain designs. It was beautiful!
After we were done watching the show last night my sister started reading the information brochure and I learned some interesting facts about the wonderful show that has captivated me for so many of my evenings over the years. The fountain was built in 1962 and cost around $250,000. The nozzles and pumps have never been changed, only cleaned and cared-for; and shows must still be programmed by hand. Even with the simplest of the many programs used to create shows for this fountain, choreographing one three-minute song can take anywhere from two to four hours.
Here are the plumbing specs for the fountain:
- Width: 240 feet
- Water basin capacity: 40,000 gallons
- Pipe: 8,000 feet long ranging in size from ¼ inch to 16 inches
- Nozzles: 1,300 ranging from 3/16" to 1" in diameter, located in the basin
- Capacity: 40,000 gallon basin
- Water consumption: 4,000 gallons per minute
- Maximum height of spray: 125 feet
Everyone else might not think that the Musical Fountain lives up to the hype, but as for me, it's one of the many things that makes Michigan a wonderful place to live and visit!
- Lizzie