Sky Wheel - SOKY Fair 2019 [Miller Spectacular Shows] (On-Ride)

Once proclaimed the "King of the Midway", the Sky Wheel is now an extremely rare breed of vintage flat rides. From the 1950's to the 1980's Sky Wheels were a staple at a majority of carnivals, fairs and even major amusement parks such as Cedar Point.
Infamous for their deceiving appearance as a gentle ride, this "double ferris wheel" is actually quite the thriller, with the seats moderately rocking back and forth. At full speed, you can even catch some floater airtime as the boom supporting the two wheeks rotates! Definitely a must-ride at any fair.

[@Elavator66]

holy crap these are rare

[@texluger6456]

There will never be another Midway ride that can come close to the SKY WHEEL! A sad day when this attraction.fades away.

[@wfat]

Luckily it seems people love it enough that some companies keep 'em alive and in good condition.

[@andrewsstation6436]

I hope they can bring it back because it looks sooooo fun!

[@kenrutherford1109]

@@andrewsstation6436 Looks scary to me!

[@poppiarlin5612]

This is definitely one of the best looking Sky Wheels now and probably one of the best looking EVER!

[@user-hh7le6ok2z]

You will never experience a ride as fun as this anywhere!

[@armandwilliams6495]

Great footage. Haven't seen this ride in forever.

[@markmccracken6951]

This is a great video that captures the terror my father put me through as a child when he insisted every year we had to ride the "double Ferris wheel" as he called it. I can only describe how tight my butt cheeks were clenched when they started rotating the wheels at full speed once both wheels were loaded with passengers.

[@danalarose846]

I know your fear, my mom has me go on with her as a kid.

[@kenrutherford1109]

@@danalarose846 My dead mom and I rode the double Ferris wheel at the Florida State Fair in February of 1987 and I was scared out of my wits

[@billbixby7877]

So many wonderful memories riding the double ferris-wheel during the 80s.

[@rtfe83able]

One of my favorites! I miss the Sky Wheel.

[@charlesg4640]

Man this took me back to Delaware State Fair when Strates Shows was still the carnival, late 80’s, and you could see this ride poking above the trees before actually arriving at the fair. Such great memories and riding this with my Dad. The creaking of the wheel and the sound of the wheel on those side tires as it went around as passengers loaded, catching air time as it rotated both wheels, and those sudden stops that would rock the seats! LoL I would ride this again in a heartbeat! Hands down the most awesome carnival ride ever!

[@LucaEuphoria]

Oh I miss the James E. Strates Shows at the Delaware State Fair! Like you, I remember watching for those fluorescent green and yellow lights on the Skywheel as we approached the fair! I too remember the creaking of the wheel as it turned, the rubber tires that rotated the wheels squealing, and the rocking of the seats when passengers were being loaded and unloaded. To me, it was the very essence of the fair. Once it was gone, the skyline never seemed the same. My fondest childhood memories are of the Delaware State Fair.

[@armandwilliams6495]

Could actually see the whole ride sway.

[@user-hh7le6ok2z]

I wish someone would make sure that the sky wheel is available for future generations to enjoy. If I had the opportunity and the cash I would take it upon myself to do just that!

[@k.s.7104]

The James E Strates shows purchased the Carolina Beach Skywheel and refurbished it. They launched it at the Erie County fair in Buffalo NY. Any guess what happened? Record crowds attended the fair due surrounding the hype of the return of the double ferris wheel.....The Sky Wheel effect. Best ride ever, king of the midway.....The green, yellow, reds, blue, colors just glow from a distance.....Good stuff

[@TheBobbo4554]

The one at Erie did not belong to James E Strates it belonged to Mergele but you are right about the record crowds at the fair surrounding the hype of the ride!

[@DougCeleste]

Those creaking noises on this ride scare me even more from ever riding on the SkyWheel. Sounds like something is about to break or come loose. YIKES!!!

[@bobbysimmo]

Would love to see one of these in the UK again

[@stripeycat1970]

Me too. Blackpool Pleasure Beach used to have one back in the 60's. Wish they would again!

[@user-hh7le6ok2z]

Yes this is the all time boss of the midway. Nothing else comes close to the sky wheel!

[@tommybeard9671]

I love riding the Sky Wheel. My sister got me on the Sky Wheel when I was a little boy back in 1964 and have loved riding it ever since. The squealing of the tires as it let passengers on, and the green and yellow lights would light up the midway at night. It has definately earned it's name. "King Of The Midway". I could ride The Sky Wheel all night long!

[@kenrutherford1109]

I'm afraid to get on the Sky Wheel

[@exgordote]

Smooth operator 😂

[@bartonpercival2147]

Use to have a skywheel Ferris wheel at Playland at the Beach in San Francisco, and the ride and the cars were the same color

[@naughtiasteffano9885]

I miss this ride. I haven’t seen one since 95. I truly miss these and the skydiver

[@Bruuuhh314]

This is like the zipper but more fun then scary and horrific

[@Jhihmoac]

I remember the twisting feeling I'd get in my back and stomach on the descent from the very top whenever I rode this... They move pretty fast for a ferris wheel when the main boom is also turning! They were always the tallest ride in the carni back in the day! At certain state fairs they would often have _two_ Skywheel rides side by side, attached at the stationary risers!

[@anthonybrooks6794]

This is my all-time favorite ride we used to have this right at Rocky Point Park years ago but they took it down to make room for a new ride and that wasn't very happy haven't rode this ride since 1986 I was 11 years old I would love to ride this ride again it was my favorite

[@pinkfreud62]

I haven't been to a fair in awhile, but last time I rode one was about 10 yrs ago at the Stark Co. fair in Ohio. No one wanted to ride so I was paired with a young boy who wanted to ride with no partner. Late evening with a ghost moon out and lights just coming on....fun, beautiful and just abit intense, lol.

[@tommybeard9671]

Watch for the rebirth of The Space Wheels. That's 2 Sky Wheels welded together side by side. That really is " The King Of The Midway "

[@poppiarlin5612]

The Space Wheels made their debut about 2 years ago. It is the only one. There are significant differences in the construction. The booms are aluminum. They have been slowed down. The lighting package sucks big time. Entirely too many different colors which change, typical LED package. I am a firm believer that whether it’s space wheels or sky wheels the colors need to be yellow green and possibly some red around the bull wheels

[@coreycoyle9548]

Wonderful Skywheel Video!!!! I'm very Happy to see that at lest one Traveling Carnival Still have the SkyWheel. F+L, Corey

[@blinderII]

I'm a grown man, but i know i'd be terrified on this ride....lol.

[@pogcow4178]

Man the Zipper really got nerfed

[@amy-joe5772]

I rode one

[@doctorsocrates4413]

creaks a bit lol

[@breanna4823]

Hff

[@bruceclark5627]

Worked for Freddy and Patsy Miller for 9 seasons.