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February 19 - April 24, 2010Party for the Planet Enrichment and More February 19 - April 4St. Johns Lenten Soup and Salad DinnersEvery Friday Weekly Friday Night Fish FryEvery Friday Night now - AprilVid WeatherwaxMarch 20, 2010A Visit to the Dahlem Sugar BushMarch 20 and 21Grass Lake Spring Business ExpoMarch 20, 2010Creative Voice WorkshopMarch 20, 2010Family Fun NightMarch 20, 2010Jackson Symphony concert March 21, 2010Scats and TracksMarch 23, 2010Good Morning! Greater JacksonMarch 24, 2010The 3/50 Project SpeakerMarch 25, 2010 to March 30, 2010RedMarch 26-27ICE KART RACINGMarch 27, 2010Early Waterfowl TripSaturday, March 27thEaster Egg HuntMarch 27, 2010The Dirt on DirtFebruary 19-March 28, 2010Rolf Peterson, Wolf TalkApril 1, 2010Eastern Michigan University JCC Site Open HouseApril 8, 2010Was That Another LBJ

The Cascade Falls of Jackson

The Cascade Falls are one of Jackson's most unique and spectacular attractions. This man-made waterfall thrills visitors from across the globe with six immense fountains, three reflecting pools and 16 falls, 11 of which are illuminated with a total of over a thousand multicolored electric lights.

The Cascade Falls' impressive display is 500 feet long, 64 feet wide and 60 feet deep, making for a dazzling scene as the sun sets and the stars begin to shine. Visitors may gaze at the twinkling lights while enjoying a variety of music, cooled by a fine mist from the powerful fountains. Several times a year, fireworks displays burst in the air above the Cascade Falls, to the delight of hundreds or thousands of viewers. Since its creation, millions of people have enjoyed the beauty of the Cascade Falls.

A landmark springs to life

William Sparks was a prominent Jackson citizen who dreamed of giving something back to the community he loved.

Sparks began a non-profit organization in 1929 in order to develop the swampy land near his home into a recreation spot. Not content to simply create a few picnic areas, Sparks' dream grew to include a championship golf course, landscaped grounds, the Cascade Falls and much more.

A fountain in Barcelona, Spain served as Sparks' inspiration for the Cascade Falls. After extensive planning and testing, Sparks' amazing creation was unveiled on May 9, 1932 amidst elaborate celebrations. Within a few years, the Cascade Falls were known around the world. Today, the visitor logbooks include entries from every state and from 33 countries.

The legacy of the Falls

Following his death in 1943, Sparks' widow donated the entire 465 acre park and the Cascade Falls to Jackson County. For more than 75 years, the Cascade Falls have captivated local residents and visitors from around the world. Jackson's most famous landmark promises to amaze and delight for generations to come.

The Cascade Falls are operated by the Jackson County Parks Department. They are open nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.