‘Switch on Summer’ sweepstakes will have winner turning on Buckingham Fountain

CHICAGO (WGN) — A symbolic sign of summer is fast approaching: the seasonal start of the famed Buckingham Fountain.

For the 11th year, ComEd is offering one northeastern Illinois resident the opportunity to ‘Switch on Summer.’

Entries to the sweepstakes are being accepted through April 18.

The event to throw the switch to turn on the fountain will be held the morning of Saturday, May 11. The event will also offer ComEd customers resources on bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs. Agents will also be on hand to answer questions about solar energy and electric vehicles, ComEd says.

The Chicago Park District is a partner for the event and will officially announce the district’s Night Out in the Parks  summer programming.

Buckingham Fountain has been a centerpiece of Chicago’s Grant Park since 1927. Once turned on, it features hourly displays with jets shooting water to about 150 feet in the air with lights and music. According to the Chicago Park District, the historic fountain has a capacity of 1.5 million gallons of water, and during the displays, around 14,100 gallons of water is recirculated per minute.

WGN’s very own Ray Cortopassi was the emcee at the last year’s event. It was temporarily closed a month later after vandals spilled red dye into the water in an apparent protest.