Ferris wheel takes over Roberto Clemente Bridge for Oktoberfest

During his lunch break, Jonathan Daybear decided to walk over to Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Bridge to take in the view from atop the 60-foot Ferris wheel set up for Oktoberfest.

“I didn’t think it was going to be such a gorgeous view,” said Daybear, 45, of Lawrenceville, who works as a senior graphic designer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

It was a cool experience, he said, and cheap, too. Tickets to ride the Ferris wheel are $5.

“I think it brings levity and joy and just fun,” Daybear said. “I think we all could use some more joy in our lives.”

He said having a Ferris wheel on a bridge is “random” and that he appreciated the unique experience.

“I’m glad it’s here,” he said.

He said a permanent Ferris wheel in the city would be a good development if it included an area with restaurants, shops or entertainment — something “lively” since the Ferris wheel was invented in Pittsburgh.

“I think more experiences like this in Pittsburgh, from my perspective, would be welcome because it’s fun.”

Reporting live from the Ferris wheel????

Here’s a video of the ride @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/yyPEtldxnV

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 3, 2024

George Ferris, the wheel’s inventor, had close ties to Pittsburgh, living in the North Side and contributing to the city’s bridges. When building the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, he used personal credit to place orders with Pittsburgh steel mills and formed a joint stock company to attract investors.

Daybear said the last time he rode a Ferris wheel was a couple of years ago, while visiting Montreal.

For Clara Troutman and Ada Watters, Thursday was their first time riding a large Ferris wheel.

“At the start, it was a little nerve-wracking, but once you get to go in and continue, it was fun,” said Clara, 10, of Fox Chapel.

She said she had previously ridden a smaller Ferris wheel at Kennywood.

Ada, 10, of Aspinwall and Clara said they saw a variety of sights at the top of the wheel, including scuba divers on a boat and PNC Park. They rated the experience a 9.5 out of 10.

“It was really fun,” Ada said.

The Ferris wheel is open from noon to 10 p.m. daily throughout Oktoberfest, which runs Oct. 3 to 13. Two riders are allowed per seat, and riders must be at least 42 inches tall.