The Games are over, the leaves are turning and school is back in session. And still the athletes come, from far and wide, to show off their prowess at the slip-and-dip, the 40-yard circumference dash, the rhythmic steam dance.

Now entering the Olympic Snowflake Fountain: Six-year-old Zane Tyler of Draper. As “God Bless America” blasts from speakers, he wows the crowd with a karate chop or two, then backstrokes through the water, splutters before flinging his arms skyward in victory.

“Definitely on the 9.8 scale,” Shokai Taylor says of the performance put on by Zane last Wednesday. Since its debut in 2001, The Gateway center fountain has proved one of Utah’s most appealing Olympic legacies. It draws crowds from morning to night, and even adults find the water irresistible.

“All summer we’ve been talking about coming here,” said Scott Sperry of Murray during a momentary break from dodging water sprays with grandsons Tyler Allred, 4, and Clayton Shumway, 18 months. “We thought we’d better do it.”

The boys are appropriately decked out in red, white and blue swim trunks, representing the U.S.A. Grandpa, on the other hand, has on blue jeans and a short-sleeve knit shirt.

He stays dry right up until performing the Sperry 1.5 fountain floater in the untucked position—in other words, an accidental belly flop. Ouch. The move surprises and delights the panel of “judges,” which includes his daughters Sarah Shumway of Pleasant Grove and Jenny Allred of Lehi.

The women are among the parents, grandparents and caretakers rimming the edge of the fountain this day, all deducting points for bad form and tacking them on for displays of good ol’ fun.

The fountain draws crowds rain, snow or shine—and on holidays like today, many families make it a destination. About 5 million people visit The Gateway annually, although a count isn’t kept on the fountain’s use.

“The first time [at The Gateway] we didn’t realize people came here and had fun. This time we brought our swimsuits and sunscreen,” said Meghan Doelling of Centerville as she slathers Jack, 5, with lotion.

Tracy James, The Gateway general manager, says several engagements have taken place in the middle of the fountain—a literal enactment of taking the plunge, you could say.

The Gateway has resisted adding the “Wedding March” to the choreographed water show playlist, which currently includes "Olympic Medley,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “God Bless America,” “Call of the Champions” from the 2002 Salt Lake Games and, during the winter holidays, “Carol of the Bells.”

The combination of music and water thrills young and old alike and a request that bathers stay out of the fountain during the shows is largely ignored.

“Bellagio, eat your heart out,” says Elaine, who declined to give her last name. She and husband Dick have brought their two grandchildren to the fountain last week for a watery respite from the heat.

As it turns out, Wet Design, the company that created the Olympic fountain also created the fountain at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. This fountain is perfectly suited for its Utah demographic: It offers free family fun.

John Satini of Salt Lake City spotted the fountain fest while driving by the center last week and decided to bring his three children.

“They love it,” he says, as Margarita, 3, and sons Stanford, 2, and Ethan, 11 months, hover close by. “You don’t have to worry about anyone drowning. You just have to make sure no one runs off with them.” Just sit back and soak in the entertainment.

“I can just see his imagination going when he does that,” smiles Paula Jones of Morgantown , W.Va. , as her 6-year-old son Noah gives a lion-like roar from the cloudy mists of a steam column.

As it turns out, Noah is dreaming out there as he whirls through the water jets. “I was thinking about I could be in the Olympics when I grow up and win the gold,” he says.

In what sport? Diving? Crew? Swimming?

“I would do it in basketball,” he says. “I’m really good at basketball because I can shoot a basket backward.”

Make a note Dream Team.