Updated: New Ferris wheel debuts May 28 on Santa Monica Pier

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will unveil a $1.5-million, state-of-the-art Ferris wheel on May 28 (see update explanation below) featuring computer-generated special-effects lighting.

The 90-foot-tall, solar-power-assisted Pacific Wheel will be revealed starting at 8:30 p.m. Wed., May 28, 2008, with a fireworks show followed by free rides for the public from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Depending on the season, the 160,000 LED lights might illuminate a Valentine’s heart, Fourth of July American flag or a Christmas wreath.

The old wheel sold on eBay for $132,400.

UPDATE: The original post had the opening of the Pacific Wheel taking place Thu., May 22. However, due to construction delays, Pacific Park has postponed the unveiling until Wed., May 28.

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the
Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland.

— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer

[Photo: Pacific Park]

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 9:35 am by Brady MacDonald and is filed under Family & Kids, Los Angeles, Theme Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.