Fountain Hills Facts for Kids

Fountain Hills is a fun town located in Maricopa County, which is in the sunny state of Arizona. It's pretty close to the bigger cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale. One of the most famous things about Fountain Hills is its giant fountain! It's actually the 4th largest fountain in the whole world. Every hour, this amazing fountain shoots water high into the sky for 15 minutes, making a spectacular show.

The Famous Fountain of Fountain Hills
- Fountain Fun and Events
- When the Fountain Rests
Art and Culture in Fountain Hills
- Outdoor Art Displays
- Community Events and Traditions
Nature and Outdoors
- Nearby Mountains and Parks
- Historical Connections
Remembering Our Heroes
Images for kids
See also

The Famous Fountain of Fountain Hills

The giant fountain in Fountain Hills is a true landmark. It's so big that it can shoot water up to 560 feet (170 m) (that's about 170 meters!) when all three of its powerful pumps are working. Imagine a building almost 60 stories tall – that's how high the water can go!

Fountain Fun and Events

The fountain isn't just for show; it's a central part of many town events.

During holidays and special occasions, the fountain is lit up with colorful LED lights. It can shine in eight different colors, making it look even more magical at night.
The town holds an annual Easter sunrise service right in Fountain Park, with the beautiful fountain as the backdrop.
Sometimes, special groups like the national Ford GT Auto Club even use the fountain as a cool background for their events.
On St. Patrick's Day, the famous fountain gets a special treat: its water is dyed green to celebrate the holiday!

When the Fountain Rests

Even though the fountain is super impressive, it doesn't run all the time. On very windy days, the fountain takes a break and doesn't operate. This helps keep the water from spraying everywhere and ensures everyone's safety.

Art and Culture in Fountain Hills

Fountain Hills loves art! You can find many beautiful sculptures and artworks around town, especially in areas like Centennial Circle and along the Avenue of the Fountains.

Outdoor Art Displays

Many sculptures in Centennial Circle are either given to the town or bought by the town itself. Local artists often create these amazing pieces for everyone to enjoy.
Along the Avenue of the Fountains, which is a lovely park area, you'll find many sculptures. One popular one is called Children Playing in Water.
The town also has a special display called "Fount Rushmore." It features statues of several important U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan, with the famous fountain in the background.

Community Events and Traditions

Fountain Hills is a town that loves to celebrate and gather.

Each fall, the town hosts the Annual Fountain Festival. This event celebrates the arts and brings people together.
For over 30 years, the "Turkey Trot" has been a fun family tradition on Thanksgiving morning. People run or walk together, often dressed in funny turkey costumes!
The town also hosts big events like "Concours in the Hills," where over 1,000 fancy cars from all over the world are displayed, attracting thousands of car fans.

Nature and Outdoors

Fountain Hills is surrounded by beautiful Arizona nature, offering great opportunities to explore the outdoors.

Nearby Mountains and Parks

From Fountain Hills, you can see the stunning Four Peaks Mountain in the distance. Sometimes, in winter, snow even covers these peaks, which is a rare sight in Arizona!
The McDowell Mountain Regional Park is nearby, offering trails for hiking, biking, and exploring. You can find signs for trails like the Stoneman Wash Trail within the park.
Snow is rare in Fountain Hills itself, but it does fall about once every other year on the nearby McDowell Mountains, creating a beautiful winter scene.

Historical Connections

The area around Fountain Hills has a long history. You can even find ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) near places like the Dixie Mine, showing that people lived here a very long time ago.

Remembering Our Heroes

Fountain Hills also has special places to honor those who have served.

There's a Veterans Memorial located in Fountain Park, which is a place to remember and respect military veterans.
At the memorial, you can see a howitzer, which is a type of large artillery gun, serving as a powerful reminder of military history.

Images for kids

Two boys posing at the petroglyphs by the Dixie Mine, Fountain Hills, AZ
The "World Famous Fountain" in Fountain Hills can attain a height of 560 feet (170 m) when running on all three of its pumps.
The fountain in Fountain Park is lighted with LED lights during holidays and special events. There are eight colors available to shine on the spray.
The fountain of Fountain Hills
The fountain during a lunar eclipse
The fountain running at full capacity, reaching 560 feet (170 m)
The annual Easter sunrise services in Fountain Park with the fountain in the background
The national Ford GT Auto Club used the fountain as a backdrop for one of their tour stops in 2021.
Snow covers the peaks of Four Peaks Mountain in the distance from Fountain Hills.
The Annual Fountain Festival celebrates the arts in Fountain Hills each fall.
For 31 years, the Turkey Trot has been a family tradition Thanksgiving morning.
More than 1,000 high-end cars from around the world drew nearly 50,000 enthusiasts to Fountain Hills for Concours in the Hills 2022.
On St. Patrick's Day, the famous fountain in Fountain Hills is dyed green to help celebrate the holiday.
Art in Centennial Circle is donated to or purchased by the Town of Fountain Hills. Many local artists create sculptures for residents to enjoy.
Children Playing in Water is one of the many sculptures along the Avenue of the Fountains linear park in Fountain Hills.
Former mayor and town resident Jerry Miles and his wife were philanthropic donors and supporters of the arts in Fountain Hills.
Entrance to town
Fountain Hills
The Fountain Park
Over Fountain Hills
Arizona sunrise
Fountain Hills
Fred & Ginger statue in Fountain Park
Snow falls about once every other year on the McDowell Mountains.
"Fount Rushmore" features statues of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan; the famous fountain is in the right rear background.
The fountain does not operate on windy days.
Veterans Memorial in Fountain Park
A howitzer at the Veterans Memorial
McDowell Mountain Regional Park entrance
Sign which indicates where the Stoneman Trail a.k.a. Stoneman Wash Trail passed through the McDowell Mountains
Stoneman Trail a.k.a. Stoneman Wash Trail