Pacific Park’s in full operation during Santa Monica’s ‘Pier Renewal Project’

Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier remain fully accessible by foot, bicycle and car.

 The theme of renewal is also marked with modern makeovers on a traditional ride and old-fashioned game!!!

The recently refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler is introduced at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday, March 25, 2013. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting. The 12-car fast-paced swirling ride takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. (Photo Courtesy of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier)

The recently refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler is introduced at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday, March 25, 2013. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting. The 12-car fast-paced swirling ride takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. (Photo Courtesy of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier)

A portion of the Santa Monica Pier may be under construction, but Pacific Park is in full operation during the yearlong “Pier Renewal Project” that began on April 25, 2013.

The “Pier Renewal Project” will upgrade a portion of the Pier stretching from the edge of the sand to approximately 365 feet westward over the Pacific Ocean, providing increased structural soundness and significantly extending the Pier’s service life. Built in the early 1900s, the original Pier structure has undergone several remodels over its 100-plus year life.

Pacific Park opened on the Santa Monica Pier in May 1996 becoming the first amusement park on the Pier since 1930.

“We embrace the historical significance of the Pier and look toward another 100 years of entertainment and relaxation that visitors currently enjoy,” says Jeff Klocke, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Pacific Park is fully open and prepared to provide the best theme park and beach experience for all of the more than 6.5 million who visit the Pier annually.”

During the 12 month “Pier Renewal Project,” guests will have an open thoroughfare for walking, jogging and bicycling from the top of the Pier at Ocean Blvd., to the west end of the Pier boardwalk.

Keeping in theme with renewal, Pacific Park is also making modern moves in a major way this season with two refurbished attractions including the traditional Inkie’s Scrambler ride and old-fashioned Ring Toss midway game.

Pacific Park is introducing the refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler, the 12-car fast-paced swirling ride that takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting.

First introduced in Atlanta in 1938, the Scrambler hit its stride in 1955 and became a popular amusement park ride alongside the Ferris wheel and carousel. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2004 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. The height requirement to ride alone is 48 inches and to ride with a chaperone is 36 inches.

Pacific Park’s 12 amusement park rides also feature a roster of family-share rides that include Inkie’s Air Lift, SIG Alert EV, Sea Planes, Inkie’s Pirate Ship and Inkie’s Wave Jumper.

“Pacific Park is the destination for rides and games at the beach and we have two family favorites to share this season. I encourage everyone to visit the Park and ride Inkie’s Scrambler and play Ring Toss again for the first time,” adds Klocke.

Not as easy as it sounds, Ring Toss measures a player’s hand-eye coordination and dexterity when matched up to the 134 bottles symmetrically set on a 7-feet by 7-feet platform. The old-fashioned, clear glass, 64-ounce bottles fit a 1-3/4-inch plastic ring that provides a unique challenge to guests. The bottles are enhanced with energy-efficient LED up-lighting and feature LED strobe lighting that is programmed to periodically flash different colors onto the clear glass. Ring Toss also features bright new colors including Tropical Breeze, a very light blue, Peony, a hot pink or magenta, and Fresh Scent Green, and new Hi-Mac quartz countertops.

Ring Toss is one of the original Pacific Park games when the Park opened in May 1996.  Players simply need to land one ring on a bottle top to win a jumbo plush prize. Pacific Park offers 17 midway games including Top Glow, Wac-A-Mole, Tub Toss, Coastline Cat Rack, Roller Derby, P.O.P. A Lot, Water Race, Beach Bash, Break A Plate, Fire Ball, Balloon Pop Race, Long Range Basketball, and attractions featuring Gyro Loop, Beach Bounce and the Pacific Peak Climbing Wall.

Prices for individual rides are $3.00 and $5.00 each. Pacific Park’s best value is the all-day wristband, providing unlimited use of rides, at $15.95 for guests 7 years and below and $22.95 for guests 8 years and older. The ever-popular Inkie’s Annual Pass, valid 365 days from date of purchase, is now available at a cost of $99 for all ages and features several exciting specials and discounts. Inkie’s Annual Pass can be purchased while supplies last at Pacific Park’s ticket booths or on Pacific Park’s website.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s only admission free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 17 midway games and an oceanfront food plaza. In addition to the Pacific Wheel solar-powered Ferris wheel, Pacific Park’s signature rides include The West Coaster, a steel roller coaster that races 55 feet above the Santa Monica Bay; and Inkie’s Air Lift Balloon Ride, the high-flying, family-sharing kids’ ride. For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744, visit http://www.pacpark.com, follow on Twitter: @pacpark and Like at Facebook: facebook.com/pacificpark.

Pacific Park Presents A Free Family Photo and Ferris Wheel Ride for Moms on Mother’s Day

The Ferris wheel’s 160,000 LED computer generated lights will glow with pink, yellow and turquoise colors and patterns during an evening-long Mother’s Day celebration!

Pacific Park Mothers Day A picture is a worth 1,000 words, but in this case it’s also free along with a Ferris wheel ride to the first 1,000 moms on Mother’s Day at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To receive the free family photo and Ferris wheel ride, a mother simply needs to go to the Pacific Park ticket booth adjacent to the Pacific Wheel entrance and notify the ticket booth personnel; Pacific Park will provide a complimentary photo and ride coupon for the guest.

“A free ride on the Ferris wheel for moms is a picture perfect way to experience the beautiful 360-degree views of the Santa Monica coastline and Pacific Ocean,” says Jeff Klocke, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Pacific Park is set to provide an exciting photo finish to a great ride for mom on her special day.”

The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel featuring 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment each evening. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 75 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.

Pacific Park converts Ferris wheel lights ‘Green’ for Earth Day

Photo Credit: @Doghammer

Photo Credit: @Doghammer (Instagram)

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will convert the world-famous Ferris wheel lights “Green” with a variety of patterns and colors in support of Earth Day. The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel featuring 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment each evening. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 75 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.

Pacific Park is committed to being a leader in its industry for green initiatives. This dedication is evident in the air by the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel among a variety of other business greening initiatives. Pacific Park was awarded Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards presented by the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.

Where: Pacific Park, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

When: Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2013.

Hours:  Ferris wheel light show – Sunset (about 7:30 p.m.) to 12 a.m.

NOTE: Turn your stationary camera to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier or go to Pacific Park’s Webcam for live HD streaming video of the Earth Day Ferris wheel green light show at http://pacpark.com/webcam.php?location=webcam

Pacific Park Celebrates the Arrival of Sesame Street Live in Los Angeles

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On Monday, April 15th, 2013 from 11am-3pm, Pacific Park will be celebrating Sesame Street Live’s arrival in Los Angeles with Sesame Street Live ticket giveaways, Pacific Park discounted wristbands, coupons, activities for the kids and more!  To RSVP for this event, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/237522223056108/

Sesame Street Live “Can’t Stop Singing”
Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, May 24 – 26
Los Angeles, Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, May 31 – June 2
Long Beach, Terrace Theater, June 7 – 9

When Elmo gets his furry fingers on Abby Cadabby’s magic wand, there’s something in the air – and Sesame Street becomes a nonstop, all-singing, all-dancing musical montage! Grover and Baby Bear sing their highs and lows, Cookie Monster sings fast and slow, Bert and Ernie converse in song and Murray makes mouth music for all to sing along! Learn why it feels good to sing a song, but why it feels good to stop, too! What will Elmo learn about the power of musical magic? Join the conga line of fun to find out!

New Play Zone Experience:
Come and play BEFORE the show! Play Zone at Sesame Street Live is a fun way for children to experience their favorite street! Sing and dance with Sesame Street friends, sit in Big Bird’s nest, twirl in Zoe’s dance studio, sit on the steps of 123 Sesame Street, and much more. You won’t want to miss a single picture-perfect moment! Hosted by Murray, Play Zone opens one hour before the show – best of all, Play Zone is FREE with your Sesame Street Live ticket!

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie…and more. Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission. The perfect length for very young children!

Tickets on-sale now at the box office and all Ticketmaster locations.

To charge by phone, call 800-745-3000.

Performance Schedules:

Thousand Oaks Performance Schedule
Friday, May 24: 10:30 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 25: 10:30 am, 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Sunday, May 26: 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm

Los Angeles Performance Schedule
Friday, May 31: 10:30 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 1: 10:30 am, 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Sunday, June 2: 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm

Long Beach Performance Schedule
Friday, June 7: 10:30 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 8: 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, & 5:30 pm
Sunday, June 9: 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm

Thank you and enjoy the show! And for more information about the show, visit: http://sesamestreetlive.com/

Spring brings a time for renewal and family fun at Pacific Park

Los Angeles’ only admission-free amusement park is in full operation throughout spring break providing family and friends with a fun seaside retreat

The recently refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler is introduced at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday, March 25, 2013. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting. The 12-car fast-paced swirling ride takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. (Photo Courtesy of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier)

The recently refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler is introduced at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday, March 25, 2013. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting. The 12-car fast-paced swirling ride takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. (Photo Courtesy of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier)

Spring brings growth and renewal from blooming flowers and budding trees to a restored traditional ride and carefree amusement park times during Spring Break now through April 7.
Pacific Park is introducing the recently refurbished Inkie’s Scrambler, the 12-car fast-paced swirling ride that takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute. The restored ride now sports a shiny new chrome finish, brightly colored period decals and detailed lighting.

First introduced in Atlanta in 1938, the Scrambler hit its stride in 1955 and became a popular amusement park ride alongside the Ferris wheel and carousel. Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accommodates up to three riders per car. The height requirement to ride alone is 48 inches and to ride with a chaperone is 36 inches.

“With the re-launch of Inkie’s Scrambler, I encourage everyone to visit the park and ride it again for the first time,” says Jeff Klocke, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Spring Break is also one of the best times of the year for family fun at Pacific Park. It’s perfect outdoor weather and everyone has fun in the sun while playing in the park, on the pier and at the beach.”

Pacific Park will be in full family-fun mode with all 12 rides and 18 midways games in operation each day beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Park also features a roster of family-share rides that include Inkie’s Air Lift, SIG Alert EV, Sea Planes, Inkie’s Pirate Ship and Inkie’s Wave Jumper.

Standing 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean is Pacific Park’s top attraction, the nine-story tall Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel that debuted in May 1996 with the opening of Pacific Park. The Pacific Wheel was adapted as the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel in November 1998. The Pacific Wheel now features 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer generated lighting entertainment each evening. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 75 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.

Pacific Park also introduced the world’s first wind-powered amusement park game, the High Striker, on Oct. 2011. The 25-feet-tall High Striker features a silver-plated bell that sounds each time a guest is strong enough to strike the pallet with a mallet that sends the puck racing to the top. All components of the High Striker are completely wind-powered including the chaser lights with more than 100 bulbs, multiple spotlights and sound system.

4GOOD Family Day Inspires Young Angelenos to Give Back to Los Angeles Community

4GOOD

Local Volunteer Group Strengthens Family Ties, Teaches Rewards of Giving Back

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – 4GOOD will be sparking the spirit of giving back at the 2nd Annual 4GOOD Family Day on Sunday, April 7th, 2013 with an afternoon of family friendly volunteer activities, music, cuisine, education and inspiration at Bridges Academy in Studio City from 1:30pm-4:30pm.  This event for all ages creates a sense of community and strengthens family ties, while teaching Los Angeles youth the importance of giving back. In addition to the array of events taking place, 4GOOD will honor one youth philanthropist for his/her outstanding efforts within the community with the 4GOODer Award.

Parents and children will have the opportunity to create a memorable experience not only for themselves, but more importantly, for others. Activities held throughout the afternoon will benefit various organizations and charities throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area and beyond. The receipt of a thankful letter or card from anyone can brighten the darkest of days, and by creating cards for the service men and women overseas for Operation Gratitude, they will have the ability to do just that. Among the other activities that will bring joy to many include: Crafting friendship bracelets for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, sponsored by the Zimmer Children’s Museum; Decorating placemats and lunch bags for Meals on Wheels seniors, sponsored by Sunnyside Preschool; Making fleece blankets for sick and needy children with Binky Patrol, sponsored by the Studio City Neighborhood Council; Arranging bouquets of foam flowers for local seniors, sponsored by the Studio City Residents Association; The assembly of a pull toy for homeless animals with animal rescue group, ARME; Sewing of a an animal pillow with children’s product purveyor Zookies that will be donated to St. John’s Wellness Center; Make your very own Change-4-Change donation box sponsored by Save LA River Open Space. The young Angelenos in attendance will also sell their handmade products to raise money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and will also buy school supplies for local area schools through their own self-created nonprofits.

At the Family Day families can bring and donate items from their homes, such as:

  • Loose change to donate to various causes
  • Gently-used stuffed animals to donate to SAFE, Stuffed Animals for Emergencies
  • Gently-used plastic kids toys to donate to Second Chance Toys
  • Canned food and new toiletries for SOVA Food Bank
  • Gently-used teen formal wear -prom dresses and suits & everything in between- donated to A Place Called Home for under-served youth

As mentioned, the 4GOODer Award will be presented during the event. “This award will recognize one young person, between the ages of 5-18 currently living in Los Angeles County, who’s gone above and beyond in their own community and held true to their vision to launch and sustain their own charitable effort,” said Erika Athanas 4GOOD co-founder and executive director. “We decided to create the Future 4GOODer Award because it’s important that kids truly understand that their contribution to our community is both meaningful and crucial.”

“We hope the award will reward them for their hard work and help to continue to foster their desire to give back,” said 4GOOD Director of Community Events, Lauren Toubes. The Future 4GOODer will be honored with a $500 donation to support their own charitable effort or nonprofit. (To nominate a Future 4GOODer, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/future4gooder)

Affordable refreshments will be available from sponsors: Taqueria Los Altenos, Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria in Studio City, Menchies Sherman Oaks, and Porch Pies (a favorite from last year).  Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsor – Studio City Neighborhood Council, Presenting Sponsors – Studio City Residents Association & Save LA River Open Space, the office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Join The Band, Sunnyside Preschool, & Energy Upgrade California.

As a special treat, students from local schools and Education Through Music – Los Angeles will perform, and Heal the Bay and TreePeople will share conservation tips.

The 2nd Annual 4GOOD Family Day is set to be bigger and better than the last, with more charitable donations, vendors, activities, and prizes given throughout the afternoon, while establishing a sense of community and the goal of teaching our youth the art of giving back. The day’s events will set a precedent for the future involvement in the community by young Angelenos.

Event Details:

Admission: Free

Date: Sunday, April 7, 2013- 1:30PM – 4:30 PM

Address: Bridges Academy – 3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Studio City, 91401

Contact: Erika Athanas at Erika@4goodcommunity.org or 818-903-7244

To find out more, visit www.4goodcommunity.org

4GOOD is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization inspiring families to actively participate in volunteer activities. 4GOOD events are family friendly and help give parents a hands-on way for their children to learn the important values of kindness, community responsibility and good citizenship. 4GOOD also serves as a resource for parents all over the U.S. seeking ways to volunteer with their families.

4GOOD hosts and organizes family-friendly volunteer events with organizations such as Book Ends to bring books to local public school kids and SOVA Food and Resource Program to help their neighbors access healthy food.

Travel + Leisure magazine selects Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel as one of the ‘World’s Coolest Ferris Wheels’

The world-famous Ferris wheel is among several International and domestic locations highlighted by the leading travel publication

Pacific Wheel: The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the Santa Monica Pier. Measuring 85 feet, the wheel moves at 2.5 revolutions per minute with intermittent stops to pick up passengers. Features more than 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that display dynamic, eye-popping computer-generated lighting entertainment in the evenings.

Pacific Wheel: The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the Santa Monica Pier. Measuring 85 feet, the wheel moves at 2.5 revolutions per minute with intermittent stops to pick up passengers. Features more than 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that display dynamic, eye-popping computer-generated lighting entertainment in the evenings.

Rising to the top of the Ferris wheel crop, Pacific Park’s Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel is selected by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “World’s Coolest Ferris Wheels” in its March issue.

In its story lead, Travel + Leisure states, “Some of these cool recent versions put a high-tech spin on the Ferris wheel concept. Santa Monica’s Pacific Wheel, for instance, uses a solar-powered design and glows in neon by night, while Tokyo’s Big O Wheel is an engineering marvel that operates without a center axel. Instead, a roller coaster zooms through the wheel’s hollow center.”

Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Coolest Ferris Wheels” selections include,
- The London Eye.
- Wonder Wheel, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Big O, Tokyo.
- Singapore Flyer.
- Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, Chicago.
- Wiener Riesenrad, Vienna.
- Pacific Wheel, Santa Monica, Calif.
- Tianjin Eye, China.
- Roue de Paris.
- The Star Wheel, Created by kinetic sculptor Paul Cesewski.
- Cosmo Clock 21, Yokohama, Japan.
- Texas Star, Dallas.
- Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel, China.
- The High Roller, Las Vegas.

The “World’s Coolest Ferris Wheels” story and complete profiles on each location can be found online at http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-coolest-ferris-wheels.

Travel + Leisure magazine’s Pacific Wheel selection states, “Introducing the only entirely solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world. The original was sold on eBay in 2008 and replaced with an identical wheel sporting the same solar-powered design and waterfront location. Nightfall brings a fantastic LED light show made possible by 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights that cover the wheel.”

“This is a terrific honor for the Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel, which is a celebrity in its own right appearing in more than 250 movies, television shows and commercials, music videos and print ads,” says Jeff Klocke, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “The Pacific Wheel was also voted one of Los Angeles’ most romantic spots by Westways magazine and was selected by Reader’s Digest magazine as Best in America 2006.”

The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel featuring 160,000 energy efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment each evening. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 75 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs. The Ferris wheel soars nine stories high and lifts riders more than 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean to offer extraordinary views of the Southern California coastline from its location on the internationally popular Santa Monica Pier.