Texas Star

Texas Star
Height212 feet (64.6 m)[1][2]
Weight678,554 lb (307,787 kg)
Cost$2.2 million[3]

Texas Star is a Ferris wheel at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, where it operates during the annual State Fair of Texas[2] and is the most popular ride.[4]

It has an overall height of 212 feet (64.6 m) and was the tallest Ferris wheel in North America[1][4] from 1985 until the opening of the 250-foot (76 m) Star of Puebla, Mexico, on 22 July 2013.[5]

It can carry up to 264 passengers in its 44 gondolas.[6] The view is one of the things that entice people to ride on it.[7]

Texas Star illuminated at night

Built by SDC Corp. in Reggio Emilia, Italy, at a cost of $2.2 million,[3] it was shipped to Dallas for its debut at the 1985 State Fair of Texas.[8] It is owned by Barbara Brown and her brother Mike Sandefur.[9][10]

From 1985 to 2007 it was illuminated at night by 16,000 incandescent red, white, and blue turbolites.[11] In 2008, the incandescent system was replaced with a longer-lasting, more energy-efficient LED system.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Heingartner, Douglas (July 28, 2007). "The Bigger Ferris Wheels Get, the More Cash Flows". The New York Times.
  2. 1 2 "General Information". BigTex.com.
  3. 1 2 "State Fair Fact". Dallas Morning News. September 30, 2005.
  4. 1 2 Weiss, Jeffrey (October 6, 1994). "Riding high; At 212 feet, Texas Star Ferris wheel remains a top thrill for fairgoers". Dallas Morning News.
  5. ↑ Puebla, Mexico becomes first site of Bussink R80XL Wheel
  6. ↑ McLeese, Don (October 5, 1996). "Sights, sounds and smells of 110-year-old Texas tradition marvel for all ages Texas State". Austin American-Statesman.
  7. ↑ "A ride with a view". Dallas Morning News. October 16, 1991.
  8. ↑ Halford, Bob (August 2, 1985). "Giant Ferris wheel called Texas Star to rise at Fair Park". Dallas Morning News.
  9. ↑ "Barbara Brown, co-owner of the Texas Star". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 25, 1998.
  10. ↑ Wertheimer, Linda K. (October 20, 2002). "The 'Star' of the State Fair; Popular Ferris wheel has been a family attraction since 1985". Dallas Morning News.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Janet (September 15, 2002). "Happy Birthday, Big Tex". Austin American-Statesman.
  12. ↑ "The lights just got brighter at Dallas landmark, the Texas Star" (Press release). State Fair of Texas. September 18, 2008.

Coordinates: 32°46′36″N 96°45′33″W / 32.776738°N 96.759269°W / 32.776738; -96.759269

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