If you’re ever visiting Hastings, Nebraska, and want to explore all of the city’s treasures, make sure the Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain in Utilities Park is on your list. The historic fountain has been around for decades and today is the site of community activities, quiet reflections, and even romantic dates. If you show up after dark, you’ll be treated to a spectacular show.

The distinctive fountain was intended to be a temporary exhibit at the 1932 Adams County Fair.
By Ammodramus - Own work, Public Domain
The Electric Fountain, as it was first called, was invented by Edward R. Howard, Hastings Water and Light Department commissioner.
The fountain proved so popular with locals that it was made a permanent installation.
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It was moved into the park so everyone could enjoy it for many years to come and it was renamed after Jacob Fisher, Hastings' mayor. It was such a beloved part of the city, in fact, that when vandals damaged the fountain with explosives in 1984, locals pitched in more than $60,000 for its repair.

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When the fountain was built, it was meant to symbolize hope and harmony during one of the most difficult times in Nebraska history: the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
By Ammodramus - Own work, Public Domain
It has remained a symbol of hope ever since; when COVID-19 struck Nebraska in 2020, the fountain was turned on for the year earlier than usual to show that there was still beauty in a sometimes-bleak world.
As the years went by, the Rainbow Fountain became a local gathering spot.
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Festivals are held in the park surrounding the fountain, with the cooling waters providing a welcome reprieve from the summer heat. During the day, it's a normal public fountain showing off its dancing waters.
But after dark, it shows off its true magnificence.
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Colored lights illuminate the water jets and make them look like magical dancing beams of light. The fountain only runs during the spring and summer, which makes this delightful show even more special since you've got to wait for it.

This video can't compare to seeing the fountain in person, but it does show off just how soothing the colors and the sounds of the water are.

Have you ever visited this beloved local landmark? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

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1228 N Denver Ave, Hastings, NE 68901, USA