Sky Wheel Erie County Fair Hamburg, NY 2019 Set Up & Operating Video

It has been called by carnival historians the “King of the Midway.” A traveling amusement ride so unique, dazzling and spectacular that it defined the Erie County Fair midway for generations of Western New Yorkers. In 2019, Erie County Agricultural Society announced that the James E. Strates Shows would feature the return of the legendary 80-foot-high double Ferris wheel called the Sky Wheel on its midway. This limited, one-time engagement was part of the celebration commemorating the 95th year of the Strates Shows at the Erie County Fair.
“The double Ferris wheel is one of the most requested bygone attractions that fairgoers continually ask us to bring back,” said Marty Biniasz, Erie County Fair Marketing Manager. “Not only is this rare ride an icon of the Strates Shows midway, it also has a deep Buffalo-Niagara connection as the Sky Wheel ride was once manufactured by the Allan Herschell Co.”
The Sky Wheel debuted on the Erie County Fair’s midway in 1963 and was a featured attraction until 1994. The ride made a brief reappearance between 1996 and 1998 before it was retired by the Strates Shows. Once a common attraction at major county and state fairs, the fully restored version of the ride scheduled to appear in 2019 is one of only five operating Sky Wheel rides remaining in North America. Rides on the Sky Wheel will be part of all Strates Shows one price ride days and Fun Card ticket programs.
“The Sky Wheel seats 32 people in 16 seats,” said Biniasz. “Riders experience the sensation of a rapid acceleration being propelled into the sky and then the feeling of a free fall as the wheels rotate downwards. Although there have been faster, taller and more modern rides over the decades, the adrenalin rush you get from the Sky Wheel is in a class of its own.”
In 1960, the Allan Herschell Co., then a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wiesner-Rapp Company, purchased the Sky Wheel patents and manufacturing rights from brothers Curtis and Elmer Velare of Long Beach, California. From 1960 until the sale of the Herschell Company’s assets in 1970 to Chance Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas, Sky Wheels were built at the Herschell plant located at 1165 Clinton Street in East Buffalo. At the time of the sale to Chance, the Allan Herschell Company was the largest manufacturer of amusement rides in North America.
The addition of the Sky Wheel to the 2019 Erie County Fair midway celebrated the exclusive relationship between the Erie County Fair and the Strates Shows. Now in its 95th year, this partnership is considered a historical milestone in the modern amusement industry. According to the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, the relationship between the Strates Shows and the Erie County Fair is the longest continuous run of any carnival midway in the United States.
Unique among today’s amusement operators, The Strates Shows is the only “railroad carnival” in North America. Each spring, the Strates Shows leaves its winter quarters in Florida and begins an eight-month journey by rail that transports their equipment to fairgrounds across the eastern seaboard and northeast. The “fair train,” as commonly known in Western New York, currently is comprised of over 50 rail cars.

[@jeffwebber7325]

Brings back awesome memories. I was 1st man on the setup crew for the Skywheel back in 1978. Traveled with Blue Grass Shows, Murphy Brothers and Royal American Shows for a few years.

[@user-hh7le6ok2z]

This is the ultimate thrill ride

[@jerryhubbard4461]

Most beautiful ride ever invented. Not many of them left. It is an old ride but get attention from far away. In my home town of Columbia South Carolina, we used to have it every year. Even had two of them a couple of years setup beside each other. They stopped having it many year ago and I have ask a ton of times why can't they bring it back. It is a very smooth ride and lots of fun.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I was a teenager in the 60's when this ride was king of the midway as always. The most beautiful ride ever put together in my opinion. On the way to the South Carolina State fair, we would drive down Assembly street. It took the straight route through Columbia and about two miles from the Fair grounds, you topped a hill and from there you could see the Fair. The first thing you would see was the SkyWheel. What a sight. A couple of years, they had two of them side by side. What a site. I am not sure what year it was on the way to the Fair, as I topped the hill, there was NO SkyWheel. That had to be the most depressing time. From that time on, I have not enjoyed the Fair as I did in the 60's. I still believe the reason they dis-continued the ride was it's capacity to turn enough people throughout the day to make enough profit as the modern rides that can load and unload double the people is half the time. All about money. One thing I can say, I rode the SkyWheel.

[@DougCeleste]

You are so right with everything you said about this AWESOME ride! However, I was too chicken to ever ride it since it went up so high and the seats seemed to rock more on their own compared to regular ferris wheel seats. I am trying to find YT videos on how it is assembled and disassembled.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

@@DougCeleste I don't think there is a video out there showing the entire setup. I have tried to find it but if you do, please send it to me. I love that ride and the only thing that killed it was not being able to load an unload quick enough to make the big money other rides are making.

[@DougCeleste]

@@jerryhubbard4461 Thanks Jerry for your interesting comments. I have been able to find only ONE YT video that just shows a partial Sky Wheel going back and forth during assembly but that is it. I grew up in San Jose, CA. and I was always AWED by the Sky Wheel ride dominating the midway, especially at night, but I never saw TWO next to each other like you did. That must have been quite a sight, indeed! Not sure why that ride has disappeared on midways but you make an interesting point about it not being as profitable as other rides and that might have been a reason. I never had thought about that. Anyhow, glad you enjoyed riding it but I was too afraid since it went so high and the seats seemed to rock more than average ferris wheel seats in my opinion by watching the ride in person and online. Cheers to you from New Mexico! 😎

[@jerryhubbard4461]

@@DougCeleste the ride held just 32 people at a time. To stop every seat and exchange people took a lot of time. Other rides holding that many or more would change riders in seconds. I believe that is the reason it did not stay on the midway. At the Iowa state fair this year, a few weeks ago, I saw a one of the politicians making a speech and in the background was a Double Ferris Wheel. A few are still out there. I sure miss them.

[@DougCeleste]

@@jerryhubbard4461 I wish we knew for sure the real reason the Sky Wheel is now a rarity on most midways, though you did see one recently at the Iowa State Fair which is great news. But your point may be the reason. I thought the ride could hold more than 32 people at a time. I also miss this towering giant of a ride that I was too afraid to ride. (Not sure where you live in Iowa but I was in Ankeny for a wedding in May and I plan to be there again in October to visit my friends there.)

[@michaelrich6880]

This was one of the rides I grew up riding at the fairs every year. That, the Skydiver, Round Up, Swiss Bob, Himalaya, and back then Super Loops. All old school and classic stuff.

[@WFTL14]

1963 and I was there but my fear of heights kept me off. A shame since I love great views! An amazing sight even from the ground.

[@brwwlb]

This is a fantastic smooth ride which can be ridden by anyone in reasonably good health whether you are 16 or 60; even older. I first rode this ride as a teen in the '60s and early '70s, and when it comes to my town, I still ride it. I completely understand why this is the most requested ride. So, folks, do ride it when it comes to your fairway. You'll be glad you did and the view from the top of the wheel is spectacular. I completely agree with Jerry Hubbard, 'Most beautiful ride invented.' Cheers. ♥♥♥

[@tonyjohnson8604]

My favorite midway ride of ALL TIME, hands down. Remember riding it as a child in the early 80's when it was with the Strates Shows

[@kenrutherford1109]

I rode this ride in 1987 at the Florida State Fair and I was scared. It's scary when the car tilts back as the wheel itself descends

[@jpayne3616]

Your the only one on youtube that has a video of the Skywheel being setup. Awesome man. Been waiting along time for this.

[@chaser420]

It doesnt even show it being set up lol

[@Ghoulieghouls]

I really wish this ride would come back

[@Elavator66]

The Rightful OG. KING OF THE MIDWAY

[@topofthepalm]

awesome video, I have not seen one of these in years, such an underrated experience

[@jkirby-vd1wm]

This was at the Clinton County NY fair years ago...it's huge in person but s smooth ride, probably one of my favorites.

[@jessemoody7313]

Used to be king of the Midway, my favorite ride of all time. I wish they would make a comeback.

[@steveho9884]

I remember my first wheel I ride sky wheel i like it better than other Ferris wheel

[@clfhnt]

one of the best rides ever. sure wish they would bring it back to Puyallup.(Washington state Fair)

[@user-fl2wn5zr5z]

they are great rides

[@michaelkuhn3962]

I wish t the York Fair would have the sky Wheel in 2023 it would be a great fair I would love to go and see it yes.

[@GlenShannon]

I thought this was the scariest ride I'd ever been at the fair! Never saw it anywhere else but Hamburg.

[@MBlackford409]

That is My favorite ride.

[@masterblackmon]

The indiana state fair had one in the early 80s..i remember seeing it the first time i was like 3 or 4 years old and when i saw the empty seats at the top go all the way round in the wind i was like never in my life...but they are a beautiful sight to see...glad i seen one in it's hey day now u cant find em anyplace..have not seen one in person for over 36 years now but if i come across one I'll ride it now...LAST OF A DYING BREED.

[@harrychest4303]

The best Ferris wheel

[@lathamarea1437]

I remember back in the early 70s, either O.C.Buck or the Strait shows were in town, the double Ferris wheel was the newest ride..

[@steveho9884]

My favorite ride

[@steveho9884]

Please bring sky wheel to Montgomery fair 2024

[@DavidSmith-eg5le]

I am wondering if people keep requesting and enough another company might decide to make it again stronger and maybe even better

[@tinaragsdale2193]

I rode one of these when I was a kid. To be on the very top wheel is kinda scary.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I guess we will never see a total video of this amazing ride being setup and taken down. It only takes two trucks to transport this ride and both of the trailers are part of the base of the ride.

[@wbrockstar9550]

That's what I was expecting to see was the entire setup process with high speed time lapse camera during repetitive portions of the setup then back to normal speed again.Oh well

[@Crazcompart]

You don't see many of these anymore... Reason being that they take more time to load/unload than when the ride is in full operation (main boom also spinning)... At certain longer/larger carni venues, such as county or state fairs, the carni company would sometimes have two skywheel rides set up and connected side by side at the stationary supports...

[@Rudeboxx88]

Great Video

[@neilonicko1]

it looks like a fun ride its basically a vertical scrambler but the only thing is waiting to get off the top wheel..

[@djmajik862]

this things low key scary hahha i went on it and was genuinely suprised

[@koalakyle19]

And you get little pops of airtime if you're coming down in the right seat

[@sweetlogo]

Silverado Days, Buena Park California. "Leslie barfed on the Sky Wheel".

[@amy-joe5772]

I rode one

[@PanamaBob1942]

Rode this in the early 60's on Royal American Shows midway. Had three corn dogs just before I got on...big mistake. As the first wheel I was riding began to turn down, so did the double wheel..the double downward motion played hell on the onlookers below. Sorry guys!

[@dirtwaterfox5074]

I used to set up the sky wheel and it will always be the king of the midway oh by the way it is not a double ferris wheel

[@jpayne3616]

I dont suppose you have the beginning of the setup do you?

[@poppiarlin5612]

Real sky wheel colors for the lights are yellow, green and sometimes red for the bull wheels. Also, the stars are missing.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I read once the reason the SkyWheel is not used much anymore as it does not make as much money as the rides that can load and unload 40 people at one time. The SkyWheel is slow loading with usually two people to the seat. Makes since to me but not a good reason not to have this beautiful ride at every Midway. There are a couple of parks that have them permanently set up.

[@masterblackmon]

What parks...please tell me???☺☺☺

[@jerryhubbard4461]

@@masterblackmon one in Kissimmee Florida I know of

[@jerryhubbard4461]

@@masterblackmon Also some midwest fairs still have them.

[@dextermorgan1]

@@jerryhubbard4461 There are only 6 of these left in existence. They stopped making parts fir them a long time ago so a lot of them were scrapped to keep the newer ones running.

[@MBlackford409]

I totally agree!

[@masterblackmon]

They need to start building them again and repopulate the carnival industry with them...it's no reason they can't do it.

[@amy-joe5772]

Chance manufacturing sky wheel

[@kathleensnyder7694]

Ride 1 is too intense for me

[@mikecroaro519]

Ride "1" ? The Sky Wheel ? The tall swing ride ?

[@craigschray4486]

What is the purpose of swinging it back and forth in the first few minutes? Didn't look like they were doing anything except rocking it back and forth

[@poppiarlin5612]

That was to get the momentum to flip the ride. This ride is really balance sensitive. On set up you can only put together pieces at a time. Then flip it to work on the other side. It is my opinion they are erected too much on one side before trying to flip it. It shouldn’t be that hard to flip it if you only build a little at a time. The entire wheel is cable driven and the outer wheels that hold the seats are rim drive.

[@steveho9884]

Bring this to Montgomery fair year 2022

[@LuisTorresadboy13]

Need any helpers

[@poppiarlin5612]

Too much weight on one side during setup. It should not be a struggle to flip it.

[@tomlowe8563]

There's no set up vid at all!!!

[@Davidjon1946]

No Erie County Fair this summer very fucking depressing standing tradition broken by this horrible covid-19

[@amy-joe5772]

Too much weight on the one side

[@amyjojinkerson5668]

it is unbalanced too much weight on the one side