Texas Star

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]

For other uses, see Texas Star (disambiguation).
Texas Star
Height216 feet (65.8 m)[1][2]
Weight678,554 lb (307,787 kg)
Cost$2.2 million[3]

It has an overall height of 216 feet (65.8 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. Heingartner, Douglas (July 28, 2007). "The Bigger Ferris Wheels Get, the More Cash Flows". The New York Times.
  2. "General Information". BigTex.com.
  3. "State Fair Fact". Dallas Morning News. September 30, 2005.
  4. Weiss, Jeffrey (October 6, 1994). "Riding high; At 216 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.


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