UPDATE: SkyStar's opening is delayed until 6 p.m. Sept. 1. In a release, SkyStar said "SkyStar crews have been working hard to meet today’s scheduled opening, but a tight schedule combined with storms earlier in the week have resulted in the delay. We apologize for any inconvenience." SkyStar will have special Labor Day weekend hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday; noon-10 p.m. Monday.
SkyStar, a temporary 15-story "observation wheel" (aka Ferris Wheel), is going up at The Banks downtown from Aug. 31-Dec. 2.
The portable contraption has been traveling across America, setting up shop in cities including Norfolk, Va. and Louisville, Ky. to offer elevated views and a novel, pop-up tourism experience. According to a press release posted on cincinnatichamber.com, the 150-foot-high wheel is being erected to celebrate the 10th-anniversary of The Banks development. (Happy birthday?)
“SkyStar is America’s largest portable observation wheel and it will light up the sky with over 1 million colored LED lights,” said SkyStar's Todd Schneider in the release. “This experience promises to provide unique views of downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, the Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River.”
The wheel consists of 36 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, which can hold up to six passengers. The ride takes about 12 minutes and includes four revolutions.
The wheel is open 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-midnight Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12.50. Skystar is located at 55 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. More info: skystarwheel.com.
Here's a video of SkyStar from its Norfolk stop:
