The world is filled with spectacular fountains that boast a variety of characteristics to accompany these beautiful monuments—some simple, some complicated. These ageless shrines are testaments to mankind’s belief that wishes can come true with every coin toss.
BMO Harris Bank recently unveiled the BMO200 Fountain on April 13 in commemoration of the Bank reaching its bicentennial milestone to nearly a hundred guests.
Located outside The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Avenue on the level 1 nearest the Nordstrom mall entrance, the fountain is a beautiful 17-feet high figurative masterpiece of art.
Although this fountain will not run water, it will do something few fountains can claim and that is grant wishes.
To mark BMO’s 200th year, and to help communities throughout Chicago, BMO Harris Bank announced that it is donating $11,200,000 to programs in the Chicago area in 2017. In that spirit everyone in the community is invited to make their own wishes, in person or online, through the BMO200 fountain.
More than 500 local organizations will receive, or have already received, donations from BMO Harris Bank in 2017.
“For 200 years, we have been financing economic expansion and helping our customers achieve their ambitions along the way,” said David Casper, President and CEO, BMO Harris Bank. “A major component of our success has been our steadfast commitment to the communities we serve. From helping the city rebuild after the Chicago Fire with a $5,000 donation in 1871, to being the founding contributor to the Chicago Community Trust in 1915, our ties to the city run deep.”
The bicentennial fountain is a modern twist on an old idea that pays homage to the centuries-old tradition of making a wish by tossing a coin into a fountain. That nod to the past is combined with a distinctive look to the future. The fountain has no water, but instead uses thousands of flip dots – the traditional technology used in destination boards at train stations – to create a unique ripple effect every time a wish is made.
Those who are unable to visit in person can still make a wish by visiting www.bmo200.com. BMO will be fulfilling a number of the wishes, both big and small, across a number of categories, including Green, Togetherness, Legacy and Community.
BMO invites people to make wishes at the BMO200 fountain. BMO will be fulfilling wishes made at the fountain over the course of the year in an effort to continue the bank’s legacy of giving back to the communities in which it does business.
“I encourage everyone to visit our fountain, either in person or online, and make a wish,” added Casper. “We look forward to bringing some of those wishes to life.”
