By the Numbers
Going Skyward on the Banks The SkyStar Observation Wheel rolled into Cincinnati’s Smale Riverfront Park on the Banks in late August and will continue its run through Dec. 2. Todd Schneider, managing partner of SkyStar Wheel LLC, says the St. Louis-based company launched the SkyStar in March in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, then took it to Norfolk, Virginia, before coming here. “People are so friendly here. They stop and say they’re glad we brought the SkyStar here. We’re excited to be here. We’ll definitely look to do more here.” While vacationing in Europe, he was introduced to the concept of a Ferris wheel operating for months at a time in a single city and says it’s the only such Ferris wheel in the United States. Tickets are $12.50 for the four-revolution, 12-minute ride; it operates 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. (Research and photos by Bill Ferguson Jr.)
216
150
SkyStar’s height, in feet, on platform, about 15 stories tall, more than double the height of the nearby National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (the wheel itself is 137 feet)
1 million
Number of people who can ride at once in 36 gondolas
Combinations of light colors possible with computer-controlled LED lights
650,000 Weight, in pounds, of SkyStar after setup; transported on 14 tractor-trailer rigs, including three with superloads of 98,000 pounds apiece
$7 million
Cost to develop; took two years to design in Holland, the Netherlands, and 18 months to deliver
100,000-plus Number of riders so far in three cities
6
SOURCE: SKYSTAR WHEEL LLC
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Days to build the SkyStar on-site (four to five to remove it)