By Brandon Wise WORK IN PROGRESS: Pacific Park has delayed the opening of the new Ferris wheel due to construction delays.
Construction delays have forced Pacific Park to postpone a dedication ceremony for its new, $1.5 million Ferris wheel. The unveiling, including the Ferris wheel relighting and Special Olympics Southern California check presentation, will take place on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:30 p.m., representatives from the amusement park said Tuesday.
Following the lighting ceremony, all guests may ride the wheel for free from approximately 9:15 p.m. to midnight. Pacific Park will also provide free popcorn, cotton candy and live music.
“We look forward to sharing the all-new Ferris wheel relighting ceremony and dedication with the community,” said Jeff Klocke, director of marketing and sales at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Everyone is encouraged to come to Pacific Park and join us for the festivities.”
In addition, Pacific Park will present Special Olympics Southern California with a check for $65,000 from the proceeds of the eBay auction of the original Ferris wheel, which was removed earlier this month. An Oklahoma City real estate developer purchased the wheel.
The first lighting of the all-new Ferris wheel will be highlighted by a pyrotechnics show designed by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza who has created fireworks shows for numerous Super Bowls, Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Statue of Liberty’s 100th anniversary tribute and other theme parks including Disneyland, Disney World and Six Flags. Once illuminated, the Pacific Wheel will add sparkle to Santa Monica’s coastline with 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights. The enhanced LED lighting will also provide 75 percent greater energy savings than the previous incandescent bulbs. With the adaptation of its solar-power application, the all-new Pacific Wheel will continue to be the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel. The new wheel, which was manufactured by Chance Morgan Inc. in Wichita, Kan., stands 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean, features 20 gondolas with a maximum six riders per car, accommodating up to 600 riders per hour. DAILY PRESS
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 21, 2008. Read the original PDF.