John Wanamaker Original Christmas Show

John Wanamaker Christmas Show from the 1980's.

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Music

Tags:

• John
• Wanamaker
• Christmas
• Show

[JonasClark]

Anyone know what happened to the Dancing Waters units? Dancing Waters went under years ago, and these were vintage, Otto Przystawic-built units, nothing else like them remaining intact. Waltzing Waters, the grandson's current company, prefers to scrap and install new equipment, but if they ever try that here I want to buy the original show parts to preserve them. I may be one of the few people interested in the history of musical fountain shows.

[gbcvette04]

As I understand it, the reason the tree and fountains were taken out was basically they weren't up to electrical code. I also understand that the tree is back this year and the fountains may reappear next year. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to the original fountains but loved them.

[gbcvette04]

This was a clip from a video given to meby a friend entitled Philadelphia Christmas Past. I think the video may have been taped from a broadcast done by WHYY but couldn't say for sure. I'm sorry that I don't have other footage of that wonderful place.

[supersayianchris]

Who in the hell put a dislike on the light show?

[kaitlinandhailey89]

This video was made after the death of my son, but, it brought back memories of his last Christmas with me. Christmas 1985, I took Michael to see the lightshow and to see Santa. I'm so happy he got to see something so wonderful. Little did I know he would die in a tragic accident a few months later.

[carlymypup]

We would take the train down to Philadelphia when we were kids with grandma, mom and family.So magical and unforgettable.Everything today is commercialized and overrated,Gone with the good ol'days:(

[garymuzik]

People never believe me when I say there used to be lighted fountains. Thanks for posting!!!

[emnhw1comcastnet]

worked in kop for 7 yrs-. think i only went to Phila. once- remember the organ not really the light show- i'm 43 yrs. old- don't feel old but there are people younger than me who've never heard of this store- so sad- my kids were never no of it either...

[JonasClark]

@warrenvarker I know of Harold Steinman. The fountains were built by Otto Przystawk of Germany, with some extremely clever technology; pumps that could run in only a few inches of water and variable hights created with large power resistors to change the pumps' speed. "Playing" these fountains live (an acquaintace of mine learned this talent too) is, I'm told, extremely difficult! I would do almost anything to get hold of the fountains from the Wanamaker show. These are rare as hens' teeth!

[warrenvarker]

My Brother Brian Varker ran the Fountain display at that show for several years and is no longer with us.I was delighted to spot him just briefly @ !:58 in this video. The water fountains used here were also put into use in the Summers at Veteran's Stadium in center field at Phillie's games. The company he worked for was called "Harold Steinman's Internationally Famous Dancing waters" They warehoused their equipment in Kingston NY and had business offices on West 57th st in NY.

[warrenvarker]

@JonasClark My brother ran those fountains for several years. It was the same unit used at Veterans stadium in center field at Phillies games Brian was an employee of Harold Steinmans Internationally famous Dancing Waters. The equipment was stored in Kingston NY

[erikbear9]

The Philadelphia Orchestra always had a children's "Christmas" Concert. My Grandmother would always take me, and we would have lunch and then go to "Wanny's" as she called it. Christmas wasn't complete unless we saw the show...This really takes me back.. thank you for posting this wonderful memory!!!!!