The following is a submission from the Pier Corporation.
On Saturday, March 22 at 8:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour, one of the largest global environmental movements returns for its 19th edition with the “Biggest Hour for Earth” as it unites millions around the world in celebration of our planet. Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier joins Earth Hour as the world-famous Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel, will “Go Dark” except for the wheel rim safety lighting, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel. The Pacific Wheel Earth Hour event can also be viewed online at https://www.pacpark.com/live.
WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returns for its 19th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of our planet. Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible in over 180 countries and territories. Earth Hour participants can visit earthhour.org to know what’s happening in locations around the world and read individuals’ stories about what they are doing for the planet.
Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switch off, supporters are also invited to symbolically switch off and ‘Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something – anything – positive for our planet. In 2024, over 1.5 million hours were given to our planet by supporters around the world.
“At Pacific Park, sustainability is at the heart of what we do—from our solar-powered Ferris wheel to our award-winning grassroots initiatives. We are dedicated to being an environmentally responsible company by collaborating with our city, engaging our community, and partnering with national and international organizations,”said Nathan Smithson, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.“Pacific Park has proudly supported Earth Hour from the start, believing in its powerful message and global efforts to promote sustainability, climate action, and environmental awareness.”
Through its own ecological efforts, Pacific Park received the “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” award at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards presented by the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.
The nine-story tall Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel first debuted in May 1996 with the opening of Pacific Park and was adapted as the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel in November 1998.
Pacific Park also introduced the world’s first wind-powered amusement park game, the High Striker, in October 2011. All components of the High Striker were completely wind-powered including the chaser lights with more than 100 bulbs, multiple spotlights and sound system.
Soaring 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Wheel’s 174,000 LED lights are mounted on the Ferris wheel’s structure including the 40 spokes and two hubs. The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel’s lighting system features 16.7 million color value combinations while the programming and display software presents imaging up to 24 frames per second to display dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s only admission free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, Snackville with five fun food offerings and retail beach shops. For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744, visit pacpark.com, and go to Facebook.com/pacificpark, Instagram.com/pacpark or X.com/pacpark.
