Friday, June 7, 2013 marked the return of the Point State Park fountain during a celebration called “Riverlights at The Point.” Co-hosted by Riverlife, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, “Riverlights at The Point” kicked off with a dedication ceremony during which Governor Tom Corbett flipped the switch to turn on the fountain after a four year absence.
A free concert from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros followed the ceremony, and temporary lighting installations throughout the Park became visible as the sun was setting. Thousands of people flooded the Point throughout the evening to welcome back this signature part of the Pittsburgh skyline..jpg)
An estimated 4,000 people attended the fountain dedication ceremony.
Boats began docking early in the day to get a prime viewing spot.
Riverlife’s Lisa Schroeder (in green) shares a lighter moment with guests before the ceremony begins.
Riverlife’s Stephan Bontrager instructs students from Shaffer Elementary School on their role in the fountain countdown.
Governor Tom Corbett, Riverlife President Lisa Schroeder and Pittsburgh City Councilman and Democratic Mayoral Nominee Bill Peduto (photo by Larry Rippel)
Governor Corbett chats with students from Neighborhood Learning Alliance who helped with the countdown to turn on the fountain. (Photo by Larry Rippel)
Riverlife’s Lisa Schroeder welcomes the crowd
Secretary Richard Allan of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald
President of The Pittsburgh Foundation and Riverlife board chair Grant Oliphant
Executive Chairman of PNC Financial Services and co-chair of the Friends of the Fountain Campaign Jim Rohr
Governor Tom Corbett talks about his father’s role in the original creation of Point State Park.
The CLO Mini Stars sing the National Anthem while the flag is presented by a color guard from the Army National Guard and Ft. Pitt Museum. (photo by Larry Rippel)
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Riverlife volunteers pose by the fountain
Helping Governor Corbett flip the switch to turn on the fountain was Mary Van Buskirk, granddaughter of original Point Park Committee chairman Arthur Van Buskirk. Mary’s grandmother Katherine pushed the button to turn on the fountain when it originally opened on August 30, 1974. (Photo by Larry Rippel)
As the sun began to set, temporary lighting displays commissioned for “Riverlights at The Point” became visible throughout the Park..jpg)
View from the portal bridge toward the fountain
Special lighting of the portal bridge by Clear Story Creative was commissioned for the event
Clear Story Creative lighting accentuates “Floating Echo,” a sculpture by artist Chang Jin Lee, part of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
Dozens of recreational boaters and paddlers illuminated their watercraft and surrounded the Point
New LED lighting is one of the many dazzling improvements to the refurbished fountain
“Pittsburgh: Spectral Acending” by Yvette Mattern and Lightwave International was commissioned for the return of the fountain. The colorful rainbow laser lights of the piece project onto the spray of the fountain.
“Pittsburgh: Spectral Ascending” was positioned on top of PPG Place and projected a laser rainbow down to the fountain plaza at sundown June 7 through 9.
View from the top of PPG Place looking down at the Point
Check out the full gallery of Riverlife’s photos for “Riverlights at The Point”
