DATE CHANGE!🌆🍷 Start of Summer & Potluck Party at Buckingham Fountain! 🎉🥖

**DATE CHANGE!! EVENT MOVED TO NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY 6/3/26 2 6:30 PM**

🌆🍷 Start of Summer & Potluck Party at Buckingham Fountain! 🎉🥖

✨ Water • Light Show • Fireworks • Wine • Food • Fun! ✨

📅 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
⏰ 6:30 – 9:30 PM
📍 Buckingham Fountain — 301 S. Columbus Dr.
🍽️ Theme: Picnic Potluck

We're doing it again! Last fall's nighttime potluck by Buckingham Fountain was a huge success — so we're heading back, this time with the Navy Pier fireworks show as a bonus!

🎆 The fountain is already on as of 5/9/26 and after Memorial Day the fireworks start. Come help us kick off summer in style!

We'll set up near the fountain to enjoy the water & light show while sharing food, drinks, and great conversation. Think of it like our Millennium Park picnics — just with the fountain as our magical backdrop.

🍷 WHAT TO BRING:
✅ Wine, beer, or your favorite beverages (be discreet 🧳)
✅ Snacks & food to share — cheese, crackers, fruit, dips, baked goodies
✅ Blanket or lawn chairs (chairs are better!)
✅ Bottle opener or corkscrew
✅ Cups, napkins, plates, toothpicks if you can
✅ Dress for the weather — bring layers!

📌 GOOD TO KNOW:
✔️ Picnics are allowed — but be discreet with wine/beer (hide in bags or pour into thermoses)
✔️ I'll bring tables for the food
✔️ Restrooms are available
✔️ Concessions should be open, but plan to bring your own!

📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
✔️ We'll set up near the fountain in the grassy area to the side
✔️ Easy to spot — look for the big group with blankets, chairs, wine & food!
✔️ Arriving early? Grab a bench and wait for the group.

🏙️ About Buckingham Fountain
The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain (1927) is one of the largest fountains in the world, designed by architect Edward H. Bennett and French sculptor Marcel Loyau. Its hourly displays shoot water up to 150 feet, and at dusk the light-and-music show is absolutely magical.
Philanthropist Kate Sturges Buckingham donated the fountain in honor of her brother Clarence, a Chicago art patron. She worked closely with technicians to design the colored lighting to glow like "soft moonlight." Inspired by the Latona Fountain at Versailles — and even larger than its French counterpart — the fountain symbolizes Lake Michigan, with four massive bronze sea horses around its base representing the four bordering states.

The fountain runs daily May–October, 8 AM–11 PM, with the final display at 10:35 PM.

🚗 PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
🚇 Public transit: CTA trains & buses → https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving: Grant Park South Garage recommended • Limited metered parking nearby • SpotHero or ParkWhiz for deals

🙌 RSVP & NO-SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if your plans change!
✅ RSVP cut-off is the event start time
✅ Running late? Message your host directly
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze

Let’s kick off summer with food, friends, wine, fireworks & one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks as our backdrop! 🎆🍷✨