Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier joins Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and Southern California Law Enforcement in its 25-hour effort to break the current Guinness World Records title of 24 hours and 30 minutes.

Martinez will remain in the Ferris wheel gondola throughout the record-setting period and will be periodically joined by Jason, his son and SOSC athlete. Additional family members, friends and law enforcement officers will also be riding along and cheering him on each minute of the way.

Supporters can get involved with a variety of fundraising options available online at http://www.pacpark.com/worldrecord. Once an online donation is confirmed, the supporter can then guess how many rotations the Pacific Wheel will make during the 25-hour world record event. The supporter who comes closest to the total rotations without going over will receive a free, private one-hour ride on the Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel. The ride will occur during non-operating hours with four guests and include a delicious meal from The Lobster restaurant.

In addition, supporters donating at the website will receive a $10 off coupon for Sports Authority, an SOSC partner proud to be a part of the record-setting event.

Guests can also ride the Ferris wheel in one of the remaining gondolas for $5 during the Park’s exclusive after-hours from 8 p.m. to midnight. All proceeds raised during the period will go toward SOSC.

“Rarely does an opportunity come along to help such a great organization, while recognizing the hard work of law enforcement and an athlete, all while having fun,” says Jeff Klocke, Director of Marketing and Sales at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Pacific Park is committed to being the best partner to Special Olympics Southern California. We recognize the excellence, endurance and time the athletes put toward their sport. We are matching that enthusiasm with the Ferris wheel, fundraising and will power.”

Upon setting the record, Martinez and his son will light the official Southern California Law Enforcement Torch held by a Santa Monica Law Enforcement Officer and SOSC athlete.

The pair will run up the Santa Monica Pier, down Colorado Blvd., onto Main Street to the Santa Monica Police Department where the flame will be kept for the weekend. On Monday, June 4, Law Enforcement Officials will kick-off the Southern California legs of the Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run for SOSC Summer Games.

Martinez has been with the Los Angeles Police Department since 1994 and currently holds the rank of Detective, working special crime task force. Jason, his son, is also a Special Olympics athlete with Down syndrome. He considers his work with Jason and SOSC “life changing.”  Martinez is also a Special Olympics coach and, together with his wife Menah, they have three children Beverly, 24, Jason, 23, and Ariel, 8. The entire family is very supportive of Jason and his Special Olympics “career” and his accomplishments.

“Special Olympics athletes are real athletes… no endorsements… no scholarships… just pure joy to train and compete. Being in this SOSC world of athletes, parents, volunteers… it’s a bit of change from working with the crime-related activity I typically focus on day in and day out,” says Martinez.

His desire to attempt to break the world record on the Ferris wheel is driven by the challenge of spinning around for 25 hours, he has the endurance skills, often awake 25-30 hours at a time, and, most importantly, he’s doing it for Jason and SOSC.

“Special individuals with true heart and passion are found within the SOSC family and Gus embodies those traits. This is a very unique opportunity to spend time in raising awareness of the organization and honor Jason,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “Pacific Park is a wonderful partner and terrific community player, always looking for new, exciting and creative ways to help SOSC, the Summer Games and Law Enforcement Torch Run. We greatly appreciate their many and varied contributions.”

Money raised from this event will go toward events such as SOSC Summer Games, taking place June 9-10 at Cal State Long Beach. Athletes and volunteers travel from all over Southern California to participate in the annual Summer Games, which is the largest Special Olympics Southern California sports competition of the year with more than 1,100 athletes competing in aquatics, athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, golf, and gymnastics. An expected 6,000 people will attend the games throughout the weekend. For more information about the Summer Games, visit www.sosc.org/summergames.

Make sure to follow the journey at facebook.com/pacwheelwatch

As promised, here are the newest TwitPics that we are absolutely in love with. There is just not better setting to take a picture, than that of Pacific Park and Santa Monica Pier. Thank you all for the posts, and remember to check in with us, as your photo may be in our next blog post!

@hpduiker

@thebeesandbirds

@SierraOrnelas_

@reynhornwood

@PriscillaVento

@livincool

@lawrencecheng

@KCMontero

@jBhizz

@hpduiker

Jason Vega A perfect day for me would be a ride on the roller coaster, playing air hockey at the arcade, getting some ice cream from the food stand folllowed by a walk on the pier and then the beach at sunset.

Julie Johnson-Lobos Riding the ferris wheel..what a view!

Rudy N Monica Marquez Walk around the pier with my 6 month old son. Watch my 12 year old get on all the rides and playing games. Have a snack.

Iliana Daniela Martinez With my family riding the Ferris Wheel! ♥

Dee Dizzle Perfect Summer Day: Taking my baby boy & all his cousins to Pacific Park & let them run the day. They choose what rides, what games, what to eat, etc. After some time @ the park, head down to the beach & splash around in the water.

Sandra Orozco Moran A perfect summer day at Pacific Park would be is seeing my kids smiling face when we arrive to the park and the look of there bigs eyes out surprise that there at Pacific Park to enjoy a day of summer, playing and getting getting on the rides then to snack on the delicious treats the park has to offer. But the best of all is for me and my kids and the hubby for the last ride of the evening is to enjoy the famous ferris wheel looking towards the ocean and looking at the nights light of the park… That would be a perfect summer day for me and my family

Mariana Avila The perfect day would be when I’m with family making beautiful memories at Pacific Park enjoying all that you offer like the rides,games, & good food! I can picture all of us with sunburn & a nice cold drink & the kids with melting icecream runing down there hands Silly pictures being taken,wanting to go from ride to ride humm? Yes this day is sounding just right!

Rene’ May Perfect day at Pacific Park would be spending it with my hubby and daughter. Rides good food a stroll along the beach and ride the ferris wheel at sunset

Elvia Pelayo Spending the whole day at Pacific Park with my teen daughter. Enjoying the rides, the views and California weather, just like we’ve done countless other times!
We ♥ Pacific Park!

Sophi Jerez Miranda Walking around with my boyfriend , taking pictures of the smiling faces ,getting on all the rides, sipping some coffee, and ending the day on the ferris wheel

Lisset Zavala My perfect summer would be spending it with my family in a place that can bring joy and laughfter and make us have good memories to remember and of course good food to eat and enjoy!!! So i think Pacific Park would be a very good place to spend a day in the warm sun.

Angelena Medrano A p Weerfect summer day would consist of myself and my 3 year old daughter enjoying our first experience together at Pacific Park. We would go on all the rides. She is pretty brave for a 3 almost 4 yr old. She takes after her mama! We would take a ridiculous amount of pictures and eat all the food we can possibly get into our bellies lol. I love being the one who opens my daughters eyes to new experiences and Pacific Park is definitely a place that will allow her to do so.

Gabriela Cuevas Urquiza my perfect summer would be taking my 4 kids so they can have fun on all the games walk around the pier eating some Ice cream getting a little wet and eat as a family watching sun set it will be a good family memory for my kids summer vacation

Carla Lara Gonzalez A perfect day for would be to watch both my boys have fun on the pier!!

Lucy Perez A perfect day would be spending the day at Pacific Park w my hubby and daughter getting on all the rides and enjoying the sunset!

Wendy Soto A nice hot day with the family sounds perfect

Catherine Wiggins It would be spending the day with my husband enjoying all the rides and great food on offer, and finishing the day with taking in the sunset.

Becky Shay My perfect summer day would be with my kids and hubby at the peir playing games and riding the rides and we cant finish the day without dippin dots and a funnel cake

Brenda Rodriguez A perfect summer day would be spending a fun day with my husband and two kids. This would be our very first time, living 45 minutes away, and never been to Pacific Park. We dont get to treat them with special trips often, so even if we dont go here spending every minute together as a happy family is a perfect summer day.

Luz Lira Any summer day would be perfect if I get to spend it with my husband and daughter at Pacific Park

Debbie Brown Picnic on the beach with the family.

Carla Zeitlin My son and I have spent countless days at Pacific Park and Muscle Beach, right next door. We love it down there. A chance to do the whole kaboodle FREE, would be very nice

Eric Lopez My perfect day of summer at Pacific park would be going with friend on all the rides, eating at harbor grill and pizza hut and taco bell, playing volleyball on the sand and hanging out on the beach and walk around the pier.

Anthony Guerrero My perfect day will be spent with me and my friends, riding on the Ferris wheel until the sun sets.

What would your perfect Summer day at Pacific Park be like? Hope I can see you all there!

See the details of the competition below, and make sure to get your submission in on time!

Remember, our Facebook Fan Page is: www.facebook.com/pacificpark

Good Luck Everyone!

Moms will receive a free ride on the world-famous Ferris wheel at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To enjoy the free ride, a mother simply needs to go to the Pacific Wheel entrance and notify the attraction’s operator and Pacific Park will provide a complimentary ride for the guest.

“We love moms and want to show our appreciation for all they do in a unique and special way,” says Jeff Klocke, director of marketing at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “A free ride on the Ferris wheel with its beautiful 360-degree views of the Santa Monica coastline and Pacific Ocean is a great way to say thank you to all moms in Southern California.”

After watching all of our other friends on Facebook join Pinterest, we decided to join in the fun too! But we came up with a different approach. Pacific Park’s Pinterest is a resource for everything Pacific Park, Santa Monica and Fun with the Kids!

Just to give you an idea of what we have been up to on Pinterest, take a look below:

PACIFIC PARK RIDES & GAMES: Located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park® is the family place to play! It’s the West Coast’s only amusement park located on a pier. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you’d expect from one of Southern California’s Leading attractions. Pacific Park® has it all… a dozen rides, midway games, ocean front specialty food outlets and seaside shopping.

PACIFIC PARK AND SANTA MONICA PHOTOGRAPHY: Every week, we select photos submitted to us via Facebook and Twitter, and search high and low through all the feeds to find our favorites. Then we post them for everyone to enjoy! If you would like your photo featured on our Pinterest Board, just submit it to us via Facebook or Tweet us!

EXPLORE SANTA MONICA: There is never a shortage of things to do in Santa Monica, so we thought we would highlight some of our favorites! From hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains, Walking tours that show off the history of this great city, as well as all of the museums, there is no such thing as dull moment in Santa Monica!

SHOP, DINE, STAY SANTA MONICA: A guide to the best restaurants, shopping centers and hotels in Santa Monica. If you are planning a visit, this is a great way to plan your stay! Hungry? Visit Bubba Gump or Bar Pintxo. Need a place to stay? How about the Georgian Hotel? Need your shopping fix? It is all about 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place.

FUN ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR CHILDREN: Home with the kids? Are they bored? Are you? This board is dedicated to fun activities you can do with your children! Whether it’s a lazy day inside, a day of exploring outside or a rainy day that leaves you stranded, use this board as a To Do List. How many of these activities, crafts and adventures can your family do? HAVE FUN!

To check out of Pinterest Profile, Boards & Pins…make sure to visit Pinterest.com/PacPark

Hope you all have a great Friday,

@JKennedy8

@JaKennaMarise

@AshleeEhret

@iamCarpeDM

@AngeloTropea

@BlakeLewis

@LV_Diamond

@MagicMittens

@paigeAroberts

@RoarUSA

@SueYeap

@TheFormatLive

@undomesticdiva

@ashhlayy

@benwilderv

Below are just a few of the many great “happenings” on the Santa Monica Pier and beyond. Won’t you come join us? It is going to be a beautiful weekend, so let’s return the favor and make the Earth beautiful along with it!

SANTA MONICA PIER AQUARIUM EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION

APRIL 21ST-22ND, 2012

Join the Celebration of Earth Month at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium on Saturday/Sunday
April 21 and 22 from 11AM to 6PM. Activities include Ocean Pollution Workshops, Arts and
Crafts, Face Painting, and much more! It’s a fun event for the whole family. For more program
information visit: www.healthebay.org/smpa.

PIER JAMS – UNI HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

APRIL 22ND, 2012 AT 1PM

Students from the Uni High Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Pier this Sunday, April 22 from
1-3PM at the west end of the Santa Monica Pier.

PACIFIC PARK GOES GREEN FOR EARTH DAY

APRIL 22ND, 2012 AT 7:31PM (SUNSET)

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier “Goes Green’ by turning the world-famous Ferris wheel a variety of green patterns and colors in support of Earth Day this Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Sunset (approximately 7:31 p.m.) to 12 a.m.

If you cannot make it to this event, you …can always watch from home by streamingit live via our webcam at:

http://pacpark.com/webcam.php?location=webcam

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.

PLAY ME, I’M YOURS – PIANO MAKES ITS TEMPORARY HOME AT THE PIER

ONGOING UNTIL MAY 3RD, 2012

The Santa Monica Pier was chosen by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) as a
venue for “Play Me, I’m Yours”, a broad-scale art installation placing 30 artfully decorated pianos
in accessible spaces across Los Angeles County. All of this is in celebration of the acclaimed
pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane’s 15th Anniversary as Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
music director. Be sure to stop by and plunk a note, play a tune or listen to some of the Pier
visitors that stop by to play a tune. The piano will remain at the Pier until May 3.

STAND UP FOR CLEAN WATER 1ST ANNUAL EARTH DAY FESTIVAL & PADDLEBOARD RACE

APRIL 21ST, 2012 AT 9AM

Hundreds of clean water supporters and outdoor enthusiasts will gather at Santa Monica Beach for a day of stand-up paddling including competitive and fun races, demos, lessons, SUP sea cleanup, and SUP Yoga! Bring friends and the whole family to enjoy music, refreshments, a kids area featuring a watershed model, and more!

In celebration of the Clean Water Act’s 40th Anniversary and Earth Day, Santa Monica Baykeeper and the Waterkeeper Alliance will host the 1st Annual Splash: Stand-Up for Clean Water paddleboard race & festival to raise awareness about stormwater runoff and ocean pollution, and Santa Monica Baykeeper’s role in the protection & restoration of waterways in Los Angeles County.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: http://sup4cleanwater.org/

Have a great weekend everyone!

If you cannot make it to this event, you …can always watch from home by streaming it live via our webcam at:

http://pacpark.com/webcam.php?location=webcam

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.

For the next two weeks, you can submit a drawing (or painting) of me in any type of scene you would like: at Pacific Park, on Santa Monica Beach, on the Santa Monica Pier, at home in the Pacific Ocean…YOU DECIDE!!!

This is a contest for Adults and Children! Each drawing submitted will be added to our “DRAW INKIE” Facebook Contest Gallery. At the end of two weeks, the drawing with the most likes and comments will win Four Unlimited Ride Wristbands to Pacific Park, and will be featured on our blog, Inkie’s Ink. The Runner up will receive Two Unlimited Ride Wristbands.

Contest begins today, Monday, April 16th, 2012 and ends on Monday, April 30th. The winner(s) will be announced on May 3rd, 2012!

Get our your crayons, magic markers, paint and imagination and get creative. Parents: This is a great project for you and your children to work on together!

Good luck to everyone!