A modular fountain system, comprising: a plurality of fountain nozzles, wherein each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles comprises: a body configured to telescope during extension and retraction; and a nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body; a control system coupled to the plurality of fountain nozzles, wherein the control system is configured to independently control extension and retraction of each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles and to keep the body of at least one fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles extended without a liquid being discharged from the nozzle outlet of the at least one fountain nozzle; an extension system configured to actuate the extension and retraction of one or more respective fountain nozzles of the plurality of fountain nozzles; and, an actuation system configured to activate discharge of the liquid from the nozzle outlet, wherein the control system is coupled to and controls the extension system and the actuation system (3 4), wherein the extension system and the actuation system are discrete systems, wherein the extension system includes: a conduit that extends through the body of each respective fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles; a first valve disposed along the respective conduit within a segment at a bottom portion of the body; a second valve disposed along the respective conduit adjacent segments near a top portion of the body; and, a pump coupled to a fluid source and configured to provide fluid to the respective conduit, wherein the control system is configured to open the first valve and close the second valve and cause the pump to pump fluid into the respective conduit to extend the body of the respective fountain nozzle. a plurality of fountain nozzles, wherein each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles comprises: a body configured to telescope during extension and retraction; and a nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body; a body configured to telescope during extension and retraction; and a nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body; a control system coupled to the plurality of fountain nozzles, wherein the control system is configured to independently control extension and retraction of each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles and to keep the body of at least one fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles extended without a liquid being discharged from the nozzle outlet of the at least one fountain nozzle; an extension system configured to actuate the extension and retraction of one or more respective fountain nozzles of the plurality of fountain nozzles; and, an actuation system configured to activate discharge of the liquid from the nozzle outlet, wherein the control system is coupled to and controls the extension system and the actuation system (3 4), wherein the extension system and the actuation system are discrete systems, wherein the extension system includes: a conduit that extends through the body of each respective fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles; a first valve disposed along the respective conduit within a segment at a bottom portion of the body; a second valve disposed along the respective conduit adjacent segments near a top portion of the body; and, a pump coupled to a fluid source and configured to provide fluid to the respective conduit, wherein the control system is configured to open the first valve and close the second valve and cause the pump to pump fluid into the respective conduit to extend the body of the respective fountain nozzle. wherein the control system is coupled to and controls the extension system and the actuation system (3 4), wherein the extension system and the actuation system are discrete systems, wherein the extension system includes: a conduit that extends through the body of each respective fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles; a first valve disposed along the respective conduit within a segment at a bottom portion of the body; a second valve disposed along the respective conduit adjacent segments near a top portion of the body; and, a pump coupled to a fluid source and configured to provide fluid to the respective conduit, wherein the control system is configured to open the first valve and close the second valve and cause the pump to pump fluid into the respective conduit to extend the body of the respective fountain nozzle.