About the Grand Haven Musical Fountain

The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is an enchanting spectacle of water and lights creatively synchronized to a wide variety of well-known musical selections.

Each 25-30 minute show is free and plays nightly at dark from Memorial Day through Labor Day as well as Fridays and Saturdays in May (starting as early as we can get ready) and September. We have been entertaining audiences since 1962!

Join us in the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium to view one of our performances.

From our 80s Show - Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)

Creating The Grand Haven Musical Fountain

The first summer show occurred on May 30, 1963.  The Musical Fountain has provided free nightly shows from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day ever since with additional weekend shows in May and September.  These shows have been made possible by a group of individuals bringing a dream to life for the City of Grand Haven. 
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain has been made possible through visionary and Grand Haven native, Dr. William "Bill" Creason (1922-2014).  As a  longtime resident, and former mayor of Grand Haven, Dr. Creason saw the potential for Grand Haven waterfront to become a place when the community gathered and enjoyed the beauty of the city.  While serving as a dentist for the US Navy during World War II, he came across the Przystawic Musical Fountain Show in Germany; the inspiration for the Grand Haven Musical Fountain.  Learn more about the Musical Fountain History.
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain celebrated 60 years of shows in 2022 and honored the legacy of the many volunteers that made this spectacle of water, lights, and music possible.  The Grand Haven Musical Fountain committee and Friends of the Musical Fountain organization are thankful for the original seventeen individual committee for their time and dedication to brining the fountain to life.  The original fountain committee included:
Dr. William Creason
Bernie Boyink
 Preston Bilz
Walter Bruin
Glenn DePagter
Tom Fullerton
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain was designed by a local engineer, William Morris Booth II.  It was built in 1962 by volunteers at an estimated cost of $50,000. At the time, it was the largest musical fountain in the world and held the title until 1998.
William Morris Booth II
Dick Hammer
Foster Poe
George Purcell
J. B. Sims
Clarence Smith
Ron Hartsema
R. V. Terrill
George VerDuin Sr.
Bob Warnaar
Marshall White
The start and end of every Grand Haven Musical Fountain show features "The Voice of the Fountain".  Over the years, this role has been filled by show producers and volunteers.  The fountain was originally voiced committee member, Ron Hartsema (1932-2021).  Ron voiced the fountain from from 1962 until 2006, when through fountain received a controls upgrade.   While apart of the committee, Ron helped produce and record over 200 original fountain programs.

Behind The Scenes At The Grand Haven Musical Fountain

The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is a complex system.  It pairs pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical distribution, sound, music, LED lighting, and ethernet to a computer & Programmable Logic Controller to perform one of its many shows.  
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is comprised of seven modules.  The modules grouped as odd (1-3-5-7) and even (2-4-6) sections. When the fountain was built, all odd modules were plumbed together and all even modules were plumbed together.  Along the front of the fountain, you will find nozzles that create the front curtain of water.  At the back of the fountain is the Peacock, a large fan-like array constructed from fire hose nozzles.  In the middle of the fountain is the Center Nozzle, this is known as The Voice of the Fountain.   Tucked in the back corners of the fountain are the Bazooka.  These create the overarching affect on the fountain.
As the music plays, you can expect to also see the different ring formations, candelabras, and sweeps moving about with the music.  The sweeps are one of three moving water features on the fountain.  In 2017, our second moving water feature was added.  The Helix brings new movement and height to the fountain.  For the fountain's 60th Birthday, it was gifted it's third moving water feature, the Doves. 
While the Wave feature is stationary in the back of the fountain, it consists of 50 individual nozzles that can be programmed together or independently.

Making A Splash In The Media

We are thankful for the different media outlets that continue to support and promote The Grand Haven Musical Fountain.  See the below links to hear from fountain volunteers and committee members about some of the upgrades and changes to The Grand Haven Musical Fountain over the years.

2024 Season Updates

Fun with the Fountain! 

 The Grand Haven Musical Fountain in Miniature Form! Read about the miniature Grand Haven Musical Fountain that was on display at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. 
Liberace Performs with the Grand Haven Musical Fountain Scale Model! Yes!  That is the original Scale Model of the Grand Haven Musical Fountain!
Wild Travels visits the Grand Haven Musical Fountain!  Check out their interview with form Musical Fountain Chair and long time volunteer, Andy!