Texas Star
| Texas Star | |
|---|---|
| Texas Star Ferris wheel | |
| Height | 216 feet (65.8 m)[1][2] |
| Weight | 678,554 lb (307,787 kg)[citation needed] |
| 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] as its most popular ride.[4]
With an overall height of 216 feet (65.8 m), it was the tallest Ferris wheel in North America[1][4] from 1985 until the opening of the 250-foot (76 m) Star of Puebla in Mexico, on 22 July 2013.[5]
It can carry up to 264 passengers in its 44 gondolas.[6]
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.[7] The Texas Star was owned by Buster Brown and his wife, Barbara. After Buster died in an automobile accident in 1990, Barbara’s brother, Mike Sandefur, bought a 50% stake in the Ferris wheel. Mike died in March of 2018, followed by Barbara who died shortly after Easter Sunday in 2025.[8][9] As of 2024, The Texas Star has been owned and operated by Talley Amusements, a company started by Barbara’s eldest daughter Mary and her husband.
From 1985 to 2007 it was illuminated at night by 16,000 incandescent red, white, and blue turbolites.[10] In 2008, this system was replaced with a longer-lasting, more energy-efficient LED system.[11]
References
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- ^ Puebla, Mexico becomes first site of Bussink R80XL Wheel
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