Buckingham Fountain Turned On For First Time Since COVID-19 Pandemic Began

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's not officially summer yet, but it sure felt like it on Saturday, making it the perfect time for Buckingham Fountain to be turned back on.

After testing it over the past several days, the city celebrated the ceremonial turning on of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park on Saturday afternoon. Dominique Lalrinzuala, of Oak Park, flipped the switch after winning ComEd's "Switch On Summer" contest.

The fountain had been turned off since 2019, as the city kept it off all last year due to the pandemic.

It's just another step in what feels like a slow return to normalcy.

"Thanks to all the hard work and sacrifice of so many across our city, we're able to say that wea re putting the virus behind us, but more work to be done," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

The mayor also urged people to get vaccinated, noting appointments are no longer required at city-run vaccination clinics, where walk-ins are accepted. You can find a vaccine provider in Chicago on the city's website, or by calling 312-746-4835.