Great Big Wheel Will Tower Above 2017 Minnesota State Fair

A new attraction will make its debut at the Minnesota State Fair this summer, get ready to ride the Great Big Wheel.

The Great Big Wheel is one of the largest touring Ferris Wheels in North America and will take riders to a towering height of 156 feet, giving them unique view of the fairgrounds and the surrounding downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“We’ve been working for years to land a spectacular ride like the Great Big Wheel,” said State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer. “It will be placed at the center of Machinery Hill on the north side of the fairgrounds, giving everyone a whole new perspective of the fair.”

Made in the Netherlands, the Great Big Wheel is equipped with 36 enclosed gondolas each holding six people. The lighting system features more than one-half million LED lights that can display thousands of designs and colors. 12 trailers are required to transport the 200-ton ride. Tickets are $5 per rider.