Last night, the lights on Santa Monica Pier's Ferris wheel made their triumphant return, after weeks of darkness. Since May 5, the 160,000 LED lights that had animated the wheel for the past eight years had been shut off while workers replaced them with a new, $1 million state of the art lighting system. The 174,000 new LED lights that now adorn the Pacific Park Ferris wheel allow for more dynamic motions, smoother animation, and an expanded color palette.
To celebrate the amusement park's 20th anniversary, Pacific Park treated spectators to a fireworks show along with the debut performance of the new Ferris wheel lights. While the fireworks won't be a nightly occurrence, the new light show will be no less spectacular as it illuminates the Santa Monica sky on a nightly basis.
Luckily for those that couldn't make it to the 20th anniversary shindig, several spectators posted about it on social media.
Of course, photos cannot do the new LED light system any justice at all. To get the full effect, the lights must be seen in action.
@pacpark celebrates 20th year with new customizable lights on the wheel!! Can't wait to go for a spin! #suchfun pic.twitter.com/y24rIJA5S0
— Jacqueline Seabrooks (@SantaMonicaCoP) May 27, 2016
#happybirthday #pacificpark on the #SantaMonicaPier pic.twitter.com/AoulojucF3
— Pacific Park (@pacpark) May 27, 2016