Ferris Wheel Soon To Arrive In Downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh’s relationship with the Ferris wheel has had its ups and downs.

The relationship’s high point occurred when George Ferris designed the first Ferris wheel for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He did so from his house on Arch Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

The low point? That likely happened in 1999, when Kennywood got rid of its Ferris wheel and deprived locals of the opportunity to regularly ride one.

The relationship will be on the upswing in October, when a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel will be placed on the Roberto Clemente Bridge for Oktoberfest Pittsburgh.

The 2024 festival will take place October 3-13 in Downtown’s Market Square, which will be transformed into a Bavarian village with booths, banners, and traditional Oktoberfest decorations.

On the Clemente Bridge, people can enjoy an all-ages-friendly Karneval featuring food vendors, activities, and carnival style games - as well as the Ferris wheel, of course.

The Ferris wheel will be open daily from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Tickets, which will be required for rides, will cost $5. The ride will last approximately 10 minutes and is open to all ages.