| Texas Star | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Height | 216 feet (65.8 m) [1] [2] |
| Weight | 678,554 lb (307,787 kg)[ citation needed ] |
| Cost | $2.2 million [3] |
Texas Star is a Ferris wheel at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, where it operates during the annual State Fair of Texas [2] as its most popular ride. [4]
With an overall height of 216 feet (65.8 m), it was the tallest Ferris wheel in North America [1] [4] from 1985 until the opening of the 250-foot (76 m) Star of Puebla in Mexico, on 22 July 2013. [5]
It can carry up to 264 passengers in its 44 gondolas. [6]
Built by SDC Corp. in Reggio Emilia, Italy, at a cost of $2.2 million, [3] it was shipped to Dallas for its debut at the 1985 State Fair of Texas. [7] The Texas Star was owned by Buster Brown and his wife, Barbara. After Buster died in an automobile accident in 1990, Barbara’s brother, Mike Sandefur, bought a 50% stake in the Ferris wheel. Mike died in March of 2018, followed by Barbara who died shortly after Easter Sunday in 2025. [8] [9] As of 2024, The Texas Star has been owned and operated by Talley Amusements, a company started by Barbara’s eldest daughter Mary and her husband.
From 1985 to 2007 it was illuminated at night by 16,000 incandescent red, white, and blue turbolites. [10] In 2008, this system was replaced with a longer-lasting, more energy-efficient LED system. [11]
