Home of Taste of Chicago, Grant Park is comprised of 220 acres and beautiful lakefront views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Some yearly activities hosted at the James C. Petrillo Music Shell are the Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival and the Chicago Gospel Festival. Free music concerts at the James C. Petrillo Music Shell debuted in 1935 due to the efforts of James Petrillo who wanted to offer classical music available for all Chicagoans and their guests, and to secure employment for union musicians. Buckingham Fountain, seen below, sits in the center of Grant Park, overlooking all the activity. This fountain was a gift to the city from Kate Buckingham in honor of her brother Clarence. Its 150 foot plume of water is eye-stopping from May until mid-October. At night it is lit with 780 colored lights. Along this stretch of Lake Michigan you will see sailboats, yachts, bicyclists, runners, volleyball and softball games and plenty of sightseers.