Uncle Wilber sprays today, Penrose gets wet Sunday

The city's favorite quirky uncle reared his whimsical head Saturday, thanks to a financial fairy godmother.

The sousaphone-splaying Uncle Wilber Fountain entertained a small but enthusiastic crowd at Acacia Park after facing a dry summer due to budget cuts. Philanthropist Lyda Hill saved the day by immediately putting a check in the mail from her Texas home for $25,000 and asked others to come forward with additional contributions.

It ensured Wilber a summer of performances.

After Saturday's dedication, Wilber played and sprayed without a hitch and to much fanfare. After he and his spinning, spotted monkey/dog creature disappeared inside the giant blue bubble for a break, laughter and squeals replaced the piped-in tuba music. Dads and grandmas joined the youngsters for the debut soak from ground jet sprays.

"We can get them tired out," said Noah Brinkdopke, father of Lilly, 16 months, and 6-month-old Emma.
"I would have been really disappointed if they didn't get the funding," his wife, Christina, said.

The opening also featured entertainment on the park stage, food and the sale of diapers made to get wet on the outside.
Wilber stole the show.

"It's a great thing for the city. This is very near and dear to a lot of people's hearts, including ours," said Mike Bristol, whose Bristol Brewing Company donates all profits from a special Smokebrush Porter label to the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts that helps fund Wilber.

His three kids came dressed to get wet.

"It's fun to put your foot over the jets when the water comes out," said his son, Mercer, 11.

Wilber isn't the only fountain in town.

"It's a very exciting weekend for fountains. They are so much better wet than dry," said Kristen Downs, a local mom who led the campaign for the Julie Penrose Fountain at America the Beautiful Park that also faced the shut-off valve.

Budget cuts eliminated needed staffing and operating funds to run the $1.6 million Julie Penrose silver sculpture fountain because the city didn't have the minimum of $25,000 needed run it. So, the El Pomar Foundation donated a $12,500 challenge grant that was matched by the H. Chase Stone Trust. To sustain the fountain in the future, El Pomar donated a second challenge $12,500 grant, which has generated $5,500 from the community.

The Julie Penrose fountain sprays at noon Sunday and Wilber will run daily after May 30.

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Call the writer at 636-0253.