Happy Birthday, Millennium Park

July 13, 2009 (CHICAGO) The city is celebrating the anniversary of Millennium Park, home to the beloved sculpture, Cloud Gate, known as 'The Bean' to most; and Crown Fountain, an interactive work of public art and video sculpture where children play on hot summer days. SLIDESHOW: The Bean | Send Us Your Millennium Park Photos

From the ABC7 Archive:
• April 16, 2004: Millennium Park Opening Ceremony
• April 11, 2006: Cloud Gate Finished
• May 12, 2006: The Bean Over-Buget

Events to mark the five-year anniversary include a tribute to Shel Silverstein, A SHEL-ebration, by singers Bobby Bare and Bobby Bare Junior. The late Silverstein was a Chicago native.

The plan for the 24.5 acre Millennium Park was conceived in 1997. It was completed in 2004.

The park, which is free to the public, is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

It is part of Chicago's lakefront Grant Park, which was outlined by Daniel Burnham in 1909. That centennial celebration is also going on.