In years past, the Tyler Davidson Fountain was activated on Opening Day without fanfare. The event went largely unnoticed, which seems inadequate for Cincinnati’s most prized possession and most beloved landmark. To give the Genius of Water her own celebration is not only fitting, but also leverages the excitement surrounding another great Cincinnati tradition – Opening Day.

The first annual Fountain Day was celebrated with music, speeches, and fireworks on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory officially welcomed spring to the city and gave the signal to let the water flow. Everyone shared that magic moment when water flowed once again from the hands of the Genius of Water atop the beautiful Tyler Davidson Fountain. Fireworks lit up the downtown sky to the music of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, recorded by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Cincinnati band Buckra closed out the night, following earlier performances by ZUMBA and ill poetic.

That same evening, Fifth Third Bank celebrated the grand opening of its Fountain Square Banking Center and City Living Mortgage Office. The new, nearly 6,000 square-foot, full-service location is part of Fifth Third’s $16.5 million update to its William S. Rowe building. Fifth Third President Bob Sullivan and Cincinnati Reds Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench presided at the ribbon-cutting.

Fountain Day is a new tradition for Cincinnati and is held annually on the Saturday before Reds Opening Day that marks the start of the Major League Baseball season.