America250 Ferris Wheel Arrives By The Truckload At W.Va. Capitol

As West Virginia prepares to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, construction is underway on the Capitol grounds, where the world’s largest transportable Ferris wheel is – literally -- going up.  

“The West Virginia Capitol building is taller than the one in D.C., so why wouldn’t we have the largest Ferris wheel to go with it?” said America Wheel 250 spokesperson Jen Puente. 

Truck by truck, the wheel with all of its moving parts began arriving Thursday morning. It will take 10 18-wheelers and a dozen men to assemble this 700,000-pound ride. When they’re finished, it will reach 230 feet into the air – about where the gold base of the Capitol dome begins – and offer views up to 14 miles away.  

Puente said even from the ground, the view is impressive. 

“It is a wow that I’ve never seen before in my life,” she said. 

The 45 gondolas can each hold up to six people for a capacity of 1,200 people per hour during the state’s America250 celebration July 2-5.  

“We think it’s going to be a highlight of the event. It will be free for everyone to ride and give way to spectacular views up to 14 miles at the top,” Lindsey Funk, with the state Division of Tourism, said.  “We’re expecting thousands and thousands of people, both Charleston and West Virginia natives, and people from all around the country, whether they are stopping by, stopping through, or coming specifically for this event.” 

Each gondola is themed after one of the 45 American presidents. 

“So when you get into the gondola, the experience will tell you a little bit about that specific president, how they’ve had historical meaning, and some fun facts about our country related to that president,” Puente said. 

Michael Wood and a partner bought the Ferris wheel – the largest transportable wheel in the world – from a family in Europe.  He wanted something really special to celebrate the nation’s 250^th birthday – and a way to sneak in a little history.  

“As we unfold it and get it put together, there is a piece of Americana everywhere you look on it.,” Wood said. “There are national parks, there are national monuments, there are 45 presidents, there are landmarks, historic natural landmarks, historic man-made landmarks from around the country, all over this thing, and we wanted to teach America about America in a fun way.” 

The America 250 Wheel opens on Thursday, July 2 at 5 p.m.  

The hours are: 

• Thursday, July 2: 5 – 10 p.m. 

• Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

Typically $7 per ride, the wheel is free throughout the celebration.