Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel Now Spinning In OKC

<p>For years, the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel was an icon featured in movies and photos.</p>

Monday, July 4th 2016, 5:19 pm



For years, the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel was an icon featured in movies and photos.  

Now, that exact same Ferris wheel is open for business on the banks of the Oklahoma River. July 4 was opening day. 

“I went to the Santa Monica Pier many times,” said Carol Prati.

She remembers riding that same Ferris wheel years ago, and Monday, she wanted to be one of the first to ride again now that both she and the wheel are in Oklahoma.

“I just had to come down,” she said. 

Blair Humphries' brother bought the Ferris wheel on eBay for around $135,000 eight years ago. 

“We’ve been working on refurbishing it and getting it installed here on the south bank of the Oklahoma River,” said Humphries, Director of Development of the Wheeler District. 

Humphries has high hopes of spinning the popularity of the Ferris Wheel into an entire district called the Wheeler District. The area will include commercial buildings and housing. 

“For anybody who’s looking to get the best of downtown but have a great neighborhood for an urban family. It’s going to be right here in Wheeler,” Humphries said.

And a view that now we all can enjoy.  

“Whenever they stopped it at the top,” said Ryan and Will Manning in unison Monday when asked what their favorite part of the ride was.  

“I think this is going to be a great deal, another part of the downtown that’s going to be nice. I want to see it at night though,” said Prati. 

The Ferris wheel will be lit up with 10,000 led lights.  

The Wheeler Ferris Wheel will be open until 9 p.m.  Tickets are $6 for one ride, $10 for a day pass. 

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