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For other attractions of the same or similar name, see Colossus.

"Come on down to the 1904 World’s Fair, where incredible memories are made on this timeless attraction: an enormous 180-foot tall Ferris wheel."
―Six Flags St. Louis website[src]

Colossus is an 180-foot Ferris wheel at Six Flags St. Louis, located in the 1904 World's Fair section of the park. It opened on April 18, 1986, replacing the Purina Pet-A-Pet petting zoo.

It is the 8th largest Ferris wheel in the United States, a tie it holds with the Capital Wheel in National Harbor, Maryland.

History[]

At the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans, the 180-foot-tall Giant Wheel was one of the attractions that the Six Flags Corporation, then owned by Bally Manufacturing, provided for the fair.

At the end of the 1985 season, the Purina Pet-A-Pet was closed, and it was demolished in the off-season to accomadate construction for the relocation of the Giant Wheel to Six Flags Over Mid-America, where it would be located in the park's Missouri section. At its new location, the Ferris wheel became known as Colossus.

In March 1986, Six Flags Over Mid-America officially announced Colossus, which would open on April 18, opening day of the 1986 season. In advertising, Six Flags cited Colossus as being purposefully reminiscent of the Ferris wheel that George Ferris introduced at the 1904 World's Fair, tying it into the World's Fair theming of the Missouri section.[1] On April 18, 1986, Colossus opened for opening day of the 1986 season.

In 1988, an animated Jack-o'-Lantern face made up of orange lights, nicknamed "Jack", and a corresponding lighting program were installed on Colossus for the very first year of Fright Nights at the park. While the lights stayed on the ride all-year afterwards, they were only used for the Halloween season. The light program returned every year until 2016, when it was removed.

In 1992, 2,200 lights were added to the ride for the main season, which displayed a 24-pattern performance with a starburst finale. During the months that the park was closed, they displayed a giant clock face which was visible to those passing on nearby Interstate 44.

Trivia[]

  • Colossus is 180-feet-tall, 165-foot-wide, weights 180 tons, and holds 320 passengers.[1]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Six Flags introduces ride. The Southeast Missourian (March 13, 1986).

External links[]

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