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Volunteers and new software revive Grand Haven Musical Fountain; committee launches fundraiser
Summary
The Musical Fountain committee reported software and LED upgrades, expanded choreography capacity thanks to volunteer programming work, and launched a $60,000 fundraiser for ongoing maintenance.
Jerry Tro, chair of the Musical Fountain Committee, told Grand Haven City Council on June 15 that volunteers and recent technical work have strengthened the fountain’s operations and expanded programming.
Tro said the 64th season has begun with a larger choreography team and an expanding song library; volunteers and a Thursday maintenance crew have completed hundreds of tasks, and recent repairs included repacking seals on pumps and rebuilding primary control valves. He credited volunteer programmer Brad Boink for rewriting aging choreography and playback software, noting that a modernized codebase — produced with the help of programming experience and AI tools — reduced choreography time and lowered the project’s maintenance risk.
The committee also completed a lighting upgrade that replaced 45 older fixtures and installed 55 new LED fixtures, each roughly two and a half times brighter, improving visibility and color vibrancy. Tro said the committee launched a “Build a Brighter Future” fundraising campaign with a $60,000 goal to cover lighting and maintenance needs and to prepare for further repairs identified during off-season work.
Council members praised the volunteer effort and the new technical capability; Tro emphasized that long-term maintenance will require funding and volunteer continuity. The committee noted specific mechanical repairs that remain outstanding and a plan to seek media partners and community support for the fundraising drive.
