FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. — It all started with a dare in 1979.
Decades ago, a homebuilder reportedly rode his horse into a local Fountain Hills tavern to celebrate his heritage and St. Patrick's Day. According to a release from Fountain Hills, the only thing to top that stunt was a bet to turn the local fountain green and water ski around it.
On St. Patrick's Day in 1979, a large crowd watched nearby as the world-famous fountain in Fountain Hills was dyed green. All the bettors then reportedly skied around the fountain to the crowd's excitement.
In what started as a $250 bet in a bar has now become the annual Greening of the Fountain in Fountain Hills on St. Patrick's Day.
On March 17 at noon and 5 p.m., the fountain will flow green once again. Along with the dye, the fountain will also be bathed in green light when the sun sets.
If you can't attend the show in person, you can watch the event on the town's webcam.
What does it take to dye the fountain?
55 gallons of coloring is injected into the fountain to help turn it green. A release from the town says the dye is not harmful to the water, which irrigates the surrounding park.
How tall is the fountain?
Fountain Hills reportedly has the world's fourth-tallest fountain. Built in 1970 in Zürich, Switzerland by Robert P. McCulloch, three pumps push the spray as high as 560 feet. For perspective, that height is taller than the Washington Monument.
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