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The lights are back at Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel

Fireworks are set off as people gather to celebrate "Lights On, " an event marking it's 20th birthday celebration of Santa Monica Pier's Pacific Park.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
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The lights are back at the iconic Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park.

The 130-foot wheel ushered in its 20th birthday on Thursday, when the public got the first glimpse of a new $1-million lighting package along with a fireworks show.

The upgrades, complete with 174,000 LED lights, allow visitors to see images with greater resolution, depth and speed, park officials said.

Fireworks are set off as people gather to celebrate “Lights On, “ an event marking it’s 20th birthday celebration and the unveiling of the new $1 million lighting package installed on the Pacific Park’s Ferris Wheel which features greater color dept

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Fireworks are set off as people gather to celebrate "Lights On, " an event marking it's 20th birthday celebration of Santa Monica Pier's Pacific Park.
Fireworks are set off as people gather to celebrate “Lights On, “ an event marking it’s 20th birthday celebration of Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times )

Lights on the wheel were turned off on May 5 so that specialists could revamp the ride. Since then, one of the wheel’s 20 gondolas was lit up each night while the rest of the lighting system was dark.

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On Wednesday, all 20 gondolas were illuminated to commemorate the park’s birthday. The wheel, which costs $8 for a ride, remained open during the upgrade.

“We look forward to sharing the Ferris wheel’s new lighting package over the next 20 years with the millions of visitors annually to the Pier,” said Jeff Klocke, the vice president at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

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For more California news, follow me @MattHjourno. E-mail me at matt.hamilton@latimes.com.

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