Boulder has regular Ferris wheels: Famous cities everywhere join in | About Boulder County Colorado

Of course, the honor goes to Boulder again! The oldest county fair in Colorado dates back to 1869. To cool us off, let’s talk about the Ferris wheel, because it’s so cool and fascinating! Our county fair predates the Ferris wheel by almost 30 years. Since then, the wonderful wheels have appeared sporadically around the county.

The Ferris wheel towers over the World’s Fair in Chicago.

In Boulder County, Ferris wheels have been present primarily during local fairs and festivals. In particular, the Boulder County Fair, the oldest fair in Colorado, often featured a Ferris wheel as one of the attractions. The fair dates back to 1869 and has been a major annual event for the community for many years, offering entertainment and rides, including the Ferris wheel.

In addition, temporary Ferris wheels may appear at other local events and festivals, adding to the festive atmosphere and providing fun for both residents and visitors. However, there is no permanent Ferris wheel installation in Boulder County. They are usually part of rides that accompany fairs and carnivals.

The Ferris wheel has an interesting history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was invented by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., an American civil engineer, for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The wheel was intended to compete with the Eiffel Tower, which had been the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris.

Ferris wheel was an engineering marvel of its time. It was 264 feet tall and had 36 cars, each of which could hold up to 60 people. The structure was made of steel, a relatively new material for such large structures, and demonstrated the possibilities of modern engineering and design.

The original Ferris wheel was dismantled after the exhibition and taken to various locations, including the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. However, it was finally scrapped in 1906.

Since then, Ferris wheels have become a staple of amusement parks around the world, with many modern versions being significantly larger and more sophisticated than the original. Notable examples include the London Eye, which opened in 2000 and stands 443 feet tall, and the High Roller in Las Vegas, which opened in 2014 and is currently the world’s tallest Ferris wheel at 550 feet.

Ferris wheels remain popular attractions, offering visitors panoramic views and a once-in-a-lifetime experience while preserving the legacy of George Ferris’ innovative design.

Ferris wheels are often seen at fairs

Today we find Ferris wheels everywhere, from Chicago’s Navy Pier, where they are a huge hit and attraction, to London right on the Thames, to Las Vegas, where the gondolas hold maybe two dozen people. All offer views of the cities they tower over. Try the Vegas Wheel at dusk for the best photo opportunities!

Boulderers are known for their curiosity and travel. Where can you find the most famous bikes? Everywhere they offer unique and spectacular views of the most famous cities in the world.

Here is a partial list of your next dream vacation! Note that many of them are located on waterways. Las Vegas is a notable exception!

LondonEye (United Kingdom): Located on the south bank of the River Thames, it offers stunning views of London, including landmarks such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Singapore Flyer (Singapore): One of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels offers panoramic views of the city skyline, Marina Bay and even parts of Malaysia and Indonesia on clear days.

High Roller (Las Vegas, USA): Located on the Las Vegas Strip, it is one of the tallest observation wheels in the world and offers views of the city’s shining lights and landmarks.

Ferris wheel at Navy Pier (Chicago, USA): Located on Navy Pier, it offers scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

Tianjin Eye (China): Built on a bridge over the Hai River, this Ferris wheel offers a unique view of the city of Tianjin.

Melbourne Star (Australia): Located in the Docklands district, it offers 360-degree views of Melbourne and the surrounding area.

Ferris wheel (Vienna, Austria): A historic Ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park with a view of Vienna and its sights.

Ferris wheel in Luna Park (Sydney, Australia): Located in the historic Luna Park, it offers views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ain Dubai (Dubai, UAE): The world’s tallest observation wheel on Bluewaters Island offers spectacular views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf.

The Star of Nanchang (China): One of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world is located in Nanchang and offers views of the surrounding area.

These Ferris wheels are popular tourist attractions and offer unique perspectives of the cities and landmarks they represent. Much like a ski lift in Colorado in the winter, Ferris wheels allow us to see impossible views from places that would be inaccessible to most if we had to walk. Whether on top of a mountain or on top of a city, heights have always fascinated people. Ferris wheels take us there with the utmost ease and convenience.

For the best book ever written about a Ferris wheel, check out (SPOILER ALERT!) The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. This book weaves together the true story of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with the story of Dr. HH Holmes, a serial killer who lured his victims to their deaths during the fair. The story is gripping, true, and a shockingly good read! Highly recommended!

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared knowledge is power!