Fountains of Bellagio

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The Fountains of Bellagio opened on October 15, 1998, along with the Bellagio resort, both built on the former site of the Dunes hotel-casino.{{cite news |title=Benvenuto |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-16-Fri-1998/news/8419018.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 16, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990922014340/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-16-Fri-1998/news/8419018.html |archive-date=September 22, 1999}}{{cite news |last1=Wilen |first1=John |last2=Thompson |first2=Gary |title=Bellagio takes Strip by storm |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/oct/16/bellagio-takes-strip-by-storm/ |access-date=April 6, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 16, 1998}} The shows take place in a man-made lake in front of the resort.{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Attracting Attention: Fountains, conservatory add to Bellagio's drawing power |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-23-Fri-1998/weekly/8440166.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 23, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991124230245/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-23-Fri-1998/weekly/8440166.html |archive-date=November 24, 1999}} The Bellagio and its fountain attraction were conceived by casino owner Steve Wynn.{{cite web |title=Fountains of Bellagio |url=http://www.wetdesign.com/client/bellagio/ |publisher=WET |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509082434/http://www.wetdesign.com/client/bellagio/ |archive-date=May 9, 2005}} The attraction was created by the design firm WET,{{cite news |last=Dicou |first=Natalie |title=Bellagio fountains designer inducted into Highland High Hall of Fame |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=51052796&itype=cmsid |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 2, 2011}}{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Bellagio, born in 1998, reset the bar for Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/bellagio-born-in-1998-reset-the-bar-for-las-vegas-strip/ |access-date=April 5, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 15, 2018}} which had never created such a large project before. Work began on the attraction in 1995,{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Sonya |title=Fountains of Bellagio continue to amaze visitors |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/fountains-of-bellagio-continue-to-amaze-visitors/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 3, 2011}} and it was completed at a cost of $40 million.{{cite news |last=Schorr |first=Melissa |title=Gonna build a fountain |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/oct/16/gonna-build-a-fountain/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 16, 1998}} It was one of the most expensive fountains in the world.

The fountains are among the most photographed places in the United States.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Cirque du Soleil's 'O' show in Bellagio Fountains canceled |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-09-20/bellagio-fountains-hosts-special-cirque-du-soleil-o-show |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 23, 2019}}{{cite web |last=Jaccoma |first=Gianni |title=The 10 most photographed places in America, according to Google data |url=https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-most-photographed-places-in-america-sightsmap-uses-panoramio-to-find-top-spots |website=Thrillist |access-date=April 14, 2022 |date=November 21, 2014}}{{cite news |last=O'Shea |first=Ronan J. |title=The most Instagrammed hotels in the world |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/most-instagrammed-hotels-in-world-top-best-instagram-places-las-vegas-dubai-ibiza-mgm-grand-caesars-palace-a8084416.html |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=The Independent |date=November 30, 2017}} It was the largest fountain show in the world until The Dubai Fountain, also by WET, was opened in 2009.{{cite news |title=The Dubai Fountain |url=https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/the-dubai-fountain-6510 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Architect Magazine |date=February 6, 2015}}{{cite book |last=Fishman |first=Charles |title=The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water |date=2012 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4391-0208-4 |page=295 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BuVfVfNDX2gC&pg=PA295 |access-date=April 15, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Clifford-Cruz |first=Rebecca |title=Las Vegas vs. Dubai: Comparing two world-famous tourist destinations |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/23/las-vegas-dubai-two-glittzy-travel-destinations/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 23, 2011}} After leaving the Bellagio in 2000, Wynn would later include a water show at his Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace resorts.{{cite news |last=Lilly |first=Caitlin |title=20 things to know about Bellagio Las Vegas as it turns 20 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/20-things-to-know-about-bellagio-las-vegas-as-it-turns-20/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 15, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Exporting our greatest ideas |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/2013/dec/16/exporting-our-greatest-ideas/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |work=VegasInc |date=December 16, 2013}}

More than 240,000 fountain shows had been performed at the Bellagio as of October 2018.{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=What it takes to keep Bellagio Fountains going on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/what-it-takes-to-keep-bellagio-fountains-going-on-las-vegas-strip/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 14, 2018}} A new edition of the show, promoting the final season of Game of Thrones, was unveiled in 2019 and ran for two weeks.{{cite magazine |last=Locker |first=Melissa |title=Game of Thrones Dragons to Setting Fountains on Fire Is Enough to Make Your Jaw Drop |url=https://time.com/5561872/game-of-thrones-show/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |magazine=Time |date=April 1, 2019}} Scenes from the television show were projected onto a wall of water formed by the fountains, and new technology was installed to shoot flames up from the surface of the water. Music from the series was also incorporated into the fountain show.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title='Game of Thrones' water show in Las Vegas brings fire to Bellagio's fountains |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/la-tr-travel-las-vegas-game-of-thrones-fountain-show-bellagio-20190331-story.html |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Tim |title=Water Is Coming: 'Game of Thrones' Takes Over Vegas' Bellagio Fountains |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-bellagio-fountain-vegas-1203179610/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 14, 2022 |date=April 4, 2019}}

The Fountains of Bellagio have been closed on several occasions, for instance during a three-day power outage at the resort in 2004.{{cite news |title=Las Vegas resort reopens after three-day power outage |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2004-04-14-bellagio-reopening_x.htm |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=April 15, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031113452/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2004-04-14-bellagio-reopening_x.htm |archive-date=October 31, 2014}} Shows are also canceled if winds reach 25 miles per hour. As of 2005, only five shows had ever been canceled because of technical problems. The show was temporarily closed in March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Bellagio fountain show temporarily suspended |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/bellagio-fountain-show-temporarily-suspended-1983696/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 17, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Vegas grows quieter as casinos, hotels, even Bellagio fountains shut down |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-03-17/bellagio-fountains-shut-off-venetian-joins-hotels-closing-over-coronavirus |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 17, 2020}} It returned two and a half months later.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Bellagio fountains to relaunch when hotel-casino reopens |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/bellagio-fountains-to-relaunch-when-hotel-casino-reopens-2035323/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 25, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title='Vegas safely is still Vegas': Bellagio ready to welcome visitors back to Strip |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2020/jun/02/bellagio-safety-measures-reopening-mgm-resorts/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 2, 2020}}

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The shows are widely visible and are typically viewed from the sidewalk along the Las Vegas Strip. Shows are free and usually performed every half-hour from the afternoon until midnight. A terrace overlooking the fountains has become a popular wedding spot, with the show coordinated to begin as couples kiss.{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Sonya |title=Going to the Chapel |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/going-to-the-chapel-3/ |access-date=March 8, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 14, 2008}}

The fountains are controlled through computer programming.{{cite news |last=Kopytoff |first=Verne G. |title=Computers Are the Balanchine Behind Those Dancing Fountains |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/21/technology/computers-are-the-balanchine-behind-those-dancing-fountains.html |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=October 21, 1999}} A control room overlooks the lake from a tower, and is staffed by an engineer who pushes a button to commence the fountain show.{{cite news |last=Miyasato |first=Kiko |title=Behind the scenes of Bellagio Fountains |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2020/jun/21/behind-the-scenes-bellagio-fountains-vegas/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Magazine |date=June 21, 2020}} Water can be shot as high as 460 feet,{{cite news |last=Nash |first=James |title=Bellagio Fountains Blast as Vegas Glitz Obscures Drought |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-14/bellagio-fountains-blast-as-vegas-glitz-obscures-droughtu |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Bloomberg |date=April 14, 2014}} up from 240 feet when the show debuted. Water is shot up using compressed air at a pressure of up to 500 pounds per square inch. Ten compressors are used to power the fountains. Wind is taken into consideration and the fountains are adjusted if necessary, to keep the show synchronized and prevent pedestrians from getting wet.

The show uses 1,214 water nozzles, which are divided into four types: oarsmen, mini-shooters, super-shooters, and extreme-shooters.{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Sonya |title=Crowd Pleaser: Dances With Water |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-06-Sun-2005/living/25759428.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 6, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914064552/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-06-Sun-2005/living/25759428.html |archive-date=September 14, 2005}}{{cite magazine |last=Seabrook |first=John |title=Water Music |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/01/11/water-music-2 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=January 3, 2010}} Oarsmen shoot water 77 feet in the air. The lake contains 208 oarsmen, each one capable of moving 140 gallons a minute. To meet the resort's opening deadline, WET subcontracted some of the work. The oarsmen were created by Sarcos, which was to manufacture them at a cost of $12,000 each. However, the cost more than doubled, due to unexpected challenges in their design and engineering. The oarsmen were designed to last five years, but were still in use as of 2017, thanks to maintenance and improvements made by the show's team. The oarsmen were mostly made of mild steel, and a tar-based coating of paint wore off after the first year. The team removed all the oarsmen and sandblasted them before applying powder coating.

The lake also contains 798 mini-shooters, 192 super-shooters and 16 extreme-shooters, respectively capable of shooting water 100, 240 and 460 feet high. The extreme-shooters were added in 2005.{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/2014-02-11/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=February 11, 2014}} Regular maintenance takes place on the equipment.{{cite news |last=Krifaton |first=Les |title=What makes Las Vegas' most famous water show at Bellagio run? |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2021/07/07/what-makes-las-vegas-most-famous-water-show-bellagio-run/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=KVVU |date=July 7, 2021}} For instance, barnacles are routinely sandblasted off of the fountain mechanisms. The attraction has 4,792 fountain lights. Wynn considered using colored fountain lights, before settling on white ones, which he found more elegant.{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Laura |title=Company called WET has highly liquid relationship with Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/company-called-wet-has-highly-liquid-relationship-with-las-vegas/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 13, 2013}} Soft water, stored in tanks, is used for fog effects.{{cite news |last=Miyasato |first=Kiko |title=In celebration of Bellagio's 25th anniversary, go behind the scenes of its iconic fountains |url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2023/oct/06/bellagio-celebrates-25-years-on-the-las-vegas-stri/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Magazine |date=October 6, 2023}}

The water is choreographed by WET to match accompanying music and songs, which are emitted by 183 speakers built into lampposts. Thirty additional speakers are used only for the bells of a bell tower.{{cite news |last=Kostek |first=Jackie |title=Behind the scenes of the Bellagio fountains |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/bellagio-celebrates-20-years-what-it-takes-to-put-on-10000-fountain-shows-a-year |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=KTNV |date=October 16, 2018}} Upon its debut, the fountain show included music from composer Gerard Schurmann and choreography by Kenny Ortega. Choreography for the initial dozen songs took two months to complete, as each nozzle and light needed to be programmed individually. It can take up to a week to choreograph two minutes' worth of music. The choreography for each song is stored on computers.

Each show uses different music, and a variety of genres are featured, including pop and rock.{{cite web |last=Shallcross |first=Juliana |title=Review: The Fountains of Bellagio |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/las-vegas/the-fountains-of-bellagio |website=Condé Nast Traveler |access-date=April 14, 2022}} The most popular song is "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Other music includes "The Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini and "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis Presley. Some songs only play at the end of the year for the Christmas holiday. New songs are occasionally introduced into the catalog. Three were added in 2011, including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles, "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, and "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller. It was the first time in six years that new songs were added to the show.{{cite news |last=Bean Yancey |first=Kitty |title=Las Vegas' Bellagio Fountains Learn New Dances |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/las-vegas-bellagio-fountains-learn-dances/story?id=15167280 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=USA Today |date=December 15, 2011}}

Electronic music was introduced in 2014, with three songs by Tiësto.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Tiesto wades into new production with Bellagio Fountains show |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2014/sep/15/tiesto-wades-new-production-bellagio-fountains-sho/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 15, 2014}} Other new songs have included Cher's "Believe" in 2018,{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Cher wades into pool of superstars at Bellagio fountains |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/cher-wades-into-pool-of-superstars-at-bellagio-fountains/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 18, 2018}} and Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" in 2019.{{cite news |last=Gilbertson |first=Dawn |title='Gaga oh-la-la': Lady Gaga makes a splash at Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2019/02/27/lady-gaga-bellagio-fountains-las-vegas-bad-romance/2991242002/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=USA Today |date=February 27, 2019}} In October of the same year, the resort featured a special show set to the Friends theme song "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts, to mark the show's 25th anniversary.https://www.ktnv.com/positivelylv/dining-and-entertainment/25th-anniversary-of-friends-in-las-vegas#google_vignette In 2022, the resort unveiled another new fountain show set to the music of boy band BTS. More than 160,000 people had seen the show within four days of its opening.{{cite magazine |title=Watch: BTS Mania Takes Over Vegas With Bellagio Fountain Show, 'Borahae' Billboards |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/watch-bts-bellagio-fountain-vegas-show-1335238/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 11, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Karel |first=Janna |title=BTS featured at Bellagio fountains show |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/music/bts-featured-at-bellagio-fountains-show-photos-2558113/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 8, 2022}} In 2023, to mark its 25th anniversary, the resort debuted a new show featuring "Perfect Symphony", by Ed Sheeran and Bocelli.{{cite web |last=Perrottet |first=Tony |title=Bellagio Recently Celebrated Its 25th Anniversary — Here's a Look Back at the Vegas Icon's Biggest Moments |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/bellagio-25th-anniversary-las-vegas-8405747 |website=Travel + Leisure |access-date=September 11, 2024 |date=November 23, 2023}} The following year, a guest won the opportunity to choreograph his own show, which is set to "Beautiful Day" by U2.{{cite news |last=Danzis |first=David |title=Lucky guest choreographs Strip casino’s world-famous fountain show |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/lucky-guest-choreographs-strip-casinos-world-famous-fountain-show-3147550/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Haas |first=Greg |title=Bellagio debuts fountain show choreographed by hotel guest |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/bellagio-debuts-fountain-show-choreographed-by-hotel-guest/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=KLAS |date=August 26, 2024}}

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The lake is sometimes referred to as Lake Bellagio{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Mayfair Supper Club to wade into Lake Bellagio |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/mayfair-supper-club-to-wade-into-lake-bellagio-1913689/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 13, 2019}} or Lake Como. It is loosely based on northern Italy's Lake Como, located near the village of Bellagio, Lombardy. The lake is 8.5 acres. It measures 1,200 feet by 600 feet, and its depth ranges from 4 to 13 feet. The lake contains 22 million gallons of water.{{cite news |title=How much water evaporates from the Bellagio fountains? |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/14/how-much-water-evaporates-bellagio-fountains/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 14, 2010}} It is partly filled with well water, which was previously used for the Dunes golf course. The lake uses two-thirds of the water previously used for the course.{{cite web |title=Desert Wars: Water and the West |url=http://www.kued.org/productions/desertwars/cruz_jamie.php |website=KUED |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002124848/http://www.kued.org/productions/desertwars/cruz_jamie.php |archive-date=October 2, 2008 |date=2006}} Water from the resort's aquatic show, O, also drains into the lake.{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/lake-bellagio-vegas-water/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=June 11, 2018}}

Approximately 12 million gallons are used each year for the fountain shows, and the lake uses roughly 500 pounds of chlorine per day. Several restaurants at the Bellagio resort are situated to overlook the lake.{{cite web |last=Diamond |first=Krista |title=Five Restaurants With a View of the Bellagio Fountains To Try This Weekend in Las Vegas |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2017/10/20/16501348/best-restaurants-view-bellagio-fountains |website=Eater |date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=April 15, 2022}} The water temperature ranges from 50 degrees in the winter to 85 degrees in the summer. It is frequented by ducks, some of which have made it their permanent home.{{cite news |title=Fountain Wizard: Bellagio Fountains secret tour |url=https://news3lv.com/news/special-reports/fountain-wizard-bellagio-fountains-secret-tour |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=KSNV |date=May 6, 2015}}

The operating and maintenance team works in a hidden cavern known as the Batcave, located within a fake rock formation beside the lake. The Batcave contains four equipment rooms. The team consists of 30 people, including computer technicians, electricians, and welders. Due to the amount of time spent in the water, all team members are trained scuba divers.{{cite news |last=Valley |first=Jackie |title=Bellagio fountains help whet appetite for learning during science festival |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/apr/30/bellagio-fountains-help-whet-appetite-learning-dur/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 30, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=F. Andrew |title=Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how the Bellagio fountains are maintained |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/heres-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-how-the-bellagio-fountains-are-maintained/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 4, 2017}}

Various items are thrown or dropped into the lake from bystanders, including food, keys, cellphones, lingerie, casino chips, military coins, foreign coinage, and wedding rings. The lake's filtration system is capable of cleaning five million gallons per day. Every few weeks, a barge resembling an ice resurfacer is used to clean the lake's bottom and retrieve foreign objects. Coins recovered from the lake are donated to charities.{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Norm |title=15 years of Bellagio's Dancing Fountains |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/norm-qa-15-years-of-bellagios-dancing-fountains/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 11, 2013}}{{cite news |last=Komenda |first=Ed |title=Behind the scenes at the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas with the divers who work there |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2019/07/09/las-vegas-fountains-of-bellagio-hotel-casino-how-it-works-behind-scenes/1478575001/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Reno Gazette Journal |date=July 9, 2019}} Approximately two tons of coins are recovered each year. There have been several instances of people jumping into the lake,{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Abigail |title=To one man, Bellagio's waters beckoned |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jun/03/one-man-bellagios-waters-beckoned/ |access-date=April 13, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 3, 2008}}{{cite news |last=Usufzy |first=Pashtana |title=Las Vegas man accused of damaging Bellagio Fountains |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/24/man-accused-trespassing-damaging-bellagio-fountain/ |access-date=April 13, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 24, 2015}} including a homeless man who drowned in 2020.{{cite news |title=Police: Bellagio fountain pool death an apparent drowning |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/police-bellagio-fountain-pool-death-an-apparent-drowning/2020/07/24/fffbc8ac-cdfc-11ea-99b0-8426e26d203b_story.html |access-date=April 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |date=July 24, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Puit |first=Glenn |title=Coroner cites drowning, meth intoxication in Bellagio fountains death |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/coroner-cites-drowning-meth-intoxication-in-bellagio-fountains-death-2132436/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 29, 2020}}

In 2004, to promote a Victoria's Secret model tour, the lake was temporarily turned pink with the use of gels on the lenses of the underwater lights.{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Norm |title=Angelic quintet descends on LV |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-11-Thu-2004/news/25233324.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 11, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213200903/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-11-Thu-2004/news/25233324.html |archive-date=December 13, 2004}}

Stages are sometimes set up on the lake for events or musical performances that incorporate the dancing fountains. Britney Spears performed on the lake for the 2001 Billboard Music Awards,{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=Billboard Music Awards return to Las Vegas for sixth straight year |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Dec-03-Mon-2001/living/17569142.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 3, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011209091243/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Dec-03-Mon-2001/living/17569142.html |archive-date=December 9, 2001}}{{cite news |last=Elfman |first=Doug |title=Fans flock for a glimpse of music's brightest stars |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Dec-05-Wed-2001/news/17599349.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 5, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030419111351/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Dec-05-Wed-2001/news/17599349.html |archive-date=April 19, 2003}} and Drake did the same during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.{{cite news |last=Butler |first=Karen |title=Billboard Music Awards: Drake performs 'Gyalchester' in Bellagio Fountain |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2017/05/21/Billboard-Music-Awards-Drake-performs-Gyalchester-in-Bellagio-Fountain/6351495419955/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=UPI |date=May 21, 2017}} Panic! at the Disco performed in 2018.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Panic! at the Disco survives a shower on the Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/panic-at-the-disco-survives-a-shower-on-the-strip/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 7, 2018}}

In a 2010 publicity stunt to promote his airline, Richard Branson rode a jet ski across the lake to reach a floating platform, where he served as conductor to the dancing fountains.{{cite news |title=Sir Richard Branson Makes Waves on Lake Bellagio |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/celebrity/sir-richard-branson-makes-waves-on-lake-bellagio/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 16, 2010}}

A kabuki show by Shochiku was performed on the lake for several days during 2015.{{cite news |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title='Fight with a Carp' Kabuki show comes to the Bellagio in August |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-kabuki-20150721-story.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 22, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Fight with a carp: Seeing the spectacle at the Fountains of Bellagio |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2015/aug/19/kabuki-spectacle-fountains-bellagio-fight-carp/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=August 19, 2015}} It used the largest stage ever built on the water, measuring 165 feet.

File:Bellagio Fountain Club (2023).jpg

The lake was scheduled to host a portion of the 2020 NFL draft. A floating red-carpet stage was to be constructed on the lake, with players transported there by boat.{{cite news |last=Loumena |first=Dan |title=The 2020 NFL draft stage might be on Bellagio fountains lake |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-01-21/the-2020-nfl-draft-stage-will-be-on-bellagio-fountains-lake |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 21, 2020}} However, these plans were canceled due to the pandemic, with the draft being held through videoconferencing instead.{{cite news |title=Vegas awarded 2022 NFL draft after being unable to host this year's edition |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/23/las-vegas-awarded-2022-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=The Denver Post |agency=Associated Press |date=April 23, 2020}} Las Vegas was subsequently awarded the 2022 NFL draft, which featured the return of the floating stage concept on the Bellagio lake.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=NFL Draft plans for Vegas still include stage over Bellagio fountains |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/nfl-draft/nfl-draft-plans-for-vegas-still-include-stage-over-bellagio-fountains-2522341/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 2, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Keefer |first=Case |title=First look: Construction has begun for NFL Draft on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2022/apr/05/first-look-construction-nfl-draft-begun-vegas/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 5, 2022}} The fountains were also incorporated into the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills Competition, which took place on the lake.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=NHL skills events taking over Strip, Bellagio Fountains |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/nhl-skills-events-taking-over-strip-bellagio-fountains-2521822/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 31, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Bailey |title=Zach Werenski wins Bellagio fountain challenge during All-Star skills competition |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2022/02/04/blue-jackets-zach-werenski-bellagio-challenge-all-star-skills/6670790001/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=February 7, 2022}}

The Bellagio Fountain Club, a temporary facility consisting of bar, restaurant and nightclub space, was built in front of the lake to accompany the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. The club is set to return each year in conjunction with future Grand Prix events.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=A nightclub layout where F1 cars will scream past at more than 200 mph |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/a-nightclub-layout-where-f1-cars-will-scream-past-at-more-than-200-mph-2939484/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 17, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Las Vegas Strip landmark promises swift return to pre-F1 form |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/las-vegas-strip-landmark-promises-swift-return-to-pre-f1-form-2941416/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 17, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Gluck |first=Jeff |title=Las Vegas GP diary: At the Bellagio Fountain Club, F1's dream lives up to its hype |url=https://theathletic.com/5073668/2023/11/18/vegas-gp-bellagio-fountain-club/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=The Athletic |date=November 18, 2023}} The fountain show was originally accompanied by more than 40 trees along the Strip sidewalk, providing shade to pedestrian spectators.{{cite news |last=Matthey |first=Ryan |title=Complications to preserve over 40 cut-down trees on Las Vegas Strip, conservationists, community condemns decision |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/complications-to-preserve-over-40-cut-down-trees-on-las-vegas-strip-conservationists-community-condone-decision/ |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=KLAS |date=September 7, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Calderon |first=Janelle |title=Critics balk as trees cut down in front of Bellagio to make way for F1 grandstands |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/critics-balk-as-trees-cut-down-in-front-of-bellagio-to-make-way-for-f1-grandstands |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=The Nevada Independent |date=September 7, 2023}} The trees were removed to accommodate the Bellagio Fountain Club, and approximately 12 were returned following the facility's initial dismantling.{{cite web |last=Szydelko |first=Paul |title=Trees will soon return to Fountains of Bellagio -- but not all of them |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Trees-returning-to-Fountains-of-Bellagio-Las-Vegas |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=January 1, 2024 |date=November 27, 2023}}

File:The Cromwell Drai's Beachclub Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas October 2019.jpg

In 2012, the Fountains of Bellagio were included on TripAdvisor's list of "most talked about attractions" from around the world, based on tourist reviews. It was one of 16 attractions featured on the list.{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Delen |title=Bellagio Fountains make TripAdvisor list of most talked about attractions |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/real-estate/2012/apr/28/bellagio-fountains-make-tripadvisor-list-most-talk/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=VegasInc |date=April 28, 2012}} In TripAdvisor's 2013 Travelers' Choice awards, the fountains were ranked the number-one tourist attraction in the U.S. and number 12 worldwide.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Las Vegas: Bellagio fountains are top TripAdvisor attraction |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-las-vegas-bellagio-fountains-20130626-story.html |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 27, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Fountains at Bellagio named No. 1 landmark |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/fountains-at-bellagio-named-no-1-landmark/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 25, 2013}}

In 2020, Las Vegas Weekly named it the city's best attraction, writing, "Today, it's impossible to imagine the Strip without it".{{cite news |title=Best Attraction: Fountains of Bellagio |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2020/aug/13/best-attraction-fountains-of-bellagio/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=August 13, 2020}} Emerald Pellot of Yahoo! also considered it one of Las Vegas' top attractions.{{cite web |last=Pellot |first=Emerald |title=The Bellagio fountains show is still one of Las Vegas' best attractions |url=https://www.yahoo.com/video/2020-04-17-the-bellagio-fountains-show-is-still-one-of-las-vegas-best-attractions-24016863.html |website=Yahoo! |access-date=April 15, 2022 |date=April 17, 2020}}

Numerous films have featured the Fountains of Bellagio, including What Planet Are You From? (2000),{{cite book |last=Holabird |first=Robin |title=Elvis, Marilyn, and the Space Aliens: Icons on Screen in Nevada |date=2017 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-0-87417-465-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGyVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT35 |access-date=April 12, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=A Waste of Space: 'What Planet Are You From?' leaves laughs on launchpad |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Mar-03-Fri-2000/weekly/13059030.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 3, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010330022432/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Mar-03-Fri-2000/weekly/13059030.html |archive-date=March 30, 2001}} Ocean's Eleven (2001),{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=How 'Ocean's Eleven' became part of Bellagio's 'fabric' |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/how-oceans-eleven-became-part-of-bellagios-fabric/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 12, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Ocean's 11: Production Notes |url=https://www.cinema.com/articles/697/oceans-11-production-notes.phtml |website=Cinema.com |access-date=April 15, 2022}} Lucky You (2007),{{cite web|url= http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/12/top-8-tourist-attractions-strip |title= What are the best free tourist attractions on the Strip? |website= Las Vegas Sun |first= Richard N. |last= Velotta |date= December 12, 2008 |accessdate= October 15, 2014}} Bolt (2008),{{cite news |last=Vancheri |first=Barbara |title=Movie Review: 'Bolt' |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/2008/11/21/Movie-Review-Bolt/stories/200811210286 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 21, 2008}} The Hangover Part III (2013),{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=Top 10 most iconic moments at The Fountains of Bellagio |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/top-10-most-iconic-moments-at-the-fountains-of-bellagio/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 15, 2018}} Jason Bourne (2016),{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title='Jason Bourne' adds iconic shots to Vegas film lore |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/jason-bourne-adds-iconic-shots-to-vegas-film-lore/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 27, 2016}} and Sharknado: The 4th Awakens (2016).{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title='Sharknado' chews the scenery in Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/christopher-lawrence/sharknado-chews-the-scenery-in-las-vegas/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 31, 2016}}{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=11 movies that destroyed Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/11-movies-that-destroyed-las-vegas-2355440/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 17, 2021}}

The Fountains of Bellagio also appear in the music video for "24K Magic", in which singer Bruno Mars rides a jet ski across the lake while the fountains dance.{{cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Natalie |title=Wild Bruno Mars rides a jetski in Las Vegas |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/music-videos/wild-bruno-mars-rides-a-jetski-in-las-vegas/news-story/774897f7b6986bbb8d520d54209663b7 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |work=news.com.au |date=October 9, 2016}}

In 2019, Celine Dion and James Corden performed on the lake, singing "My Heart Will Go On" while riding on a boat past the dancing fountains. The performance, reenacting a scene from the film Titanic (1997), was part of Corden's Carpool Karaoke segment on The Late Late Show.{{cite news |last=Saad |first=Nardine |title=Celine Dion, James Corden reenact 'Titanic' in the Bellagio fountain |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-celine-dion-carpool-karaoke-titanic-james-corden-20190521-story.html |access-date=April 11, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Celine Dion, James Corden take to Bellagio Fountains for 'Carpool Karaoke' |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/celine-dion-james-corden-take-to-bellagio-fountains-for-carpool-karaoke-1624768/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 24, 2019}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Fountains of Bellagio}}

• [https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/fountains-of-bellagio.html Official website]

{{Las Vegas Strip}}

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Category:Fountains in Nevada

Category:Tourist attractions in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Las Vegas Strip

Category:1998 establishments in Nevada