Navy Pier Invites Chicago To Say #FerrWell To Its Iconic Ferris Wheel With Free Overnight Rides And Weekend-Long Events

CHICAGO, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Navy Pier is commemorating the final spin of its current Ferris wheel while anticipating the arrival of the new and enhanced wheel in time for the Centennial Celebration in 2016!

Before construction begins on Navy Pier's nearly 200 ft. new wheel, Chicagoans and guests alike are invited to say #FerrWell to the current Ferris wheel throughout The Last Ride, First Bite Weekend, September 26-27, which also includes a free sampling of menu options available from many new and existing Pier restaurants!

Since the first-ever Ferris wheel was unveiled at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Ferris wheel has been a hallmark of Chicago.  The wheel symbolizes how Chicago has remained true to Daniel Burnham's vision for the "People's Pier," as articulated in his famous 1909 Plan of Chicago. Today, Navy Pier, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that maintains and oversees Navy Pier and its redevelopment into a bolder, greener and more contemporary urban space. 

Also, beginning Saturday night the Ferris wheel will operate free of charge overnight, offering guests free rides from 10 p.m. to 9:45 a.m. The final rides will take place Sunday, September 27 with the day to include a special fireworks show and Chicago celebrities and iconic personalities participating in the historic #FerrWell rides.

"While we're saying goodbye to our beloved Ferris wheel that's been an iconic fixture in Chicago for two decades, it's a sign of continued Navy Pier progress as construction of the new Ferris wheel begins immediately," said Marilynn Gardner, President & CEO of Navy Pier, Inc. "Our enhanced new wheel will kick off our Centennial Celebration next summer."

From 1-4 p.m. each day throughout The Last Ride, First Bite Weekend new and existing restaurants on Navy Pier will offer guests free 'bites' of some of their favorite dishes – some of which will be exclusive Navy Pier menu items.

New Navy Pier restaurants and ones coming soon that are participating in The Last Ride, First Bite Weekend include:

• Big Bowl Chinese Express
• Big City Chicken
• Brown Sugar Bakery
• DMK Burger Bar and Fish Bar
• Frankie's Pizza by the Slice
• Freshii
• Giordano's
• Goddess and the Baker
• Porkchop

The current Ferris wheel, which has been a Chicago landmark since 1995, will be replaced with a new 196-foot wheel, with state-of-the-art features and amenities, including accommodations for up to 180 more passengers per ride and temperature controlled gondolas allowing guests to enjoy rides year-round. Ferris wheel and Pier Park operations will be closed to prepare for the new wheel beginning on September 28, 2015 and will re-open in summer of 2016.

For more information regarding Navy Pier's new wheel and The Last Ride, First Bite Weekend please visit www.navypier.com. 

About Navy Pier:

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top attended leisure destination in the Midwest, stretching more than 6 city blocks and welcoming more than 8 million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more.  Navy Pier, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, maintains and oversees Navy Pier and its redevelopment into a bolder, greener and more contemporary urban space.  For more information, visit our website at www.navypier.com

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SOURCE Navy Pier

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