Pacific Park Celebrates 10th Year

By Lookout Staff

May 26 -- One the Santa Monica's glowing stars -- showcased in more than 200 television commercials, shows, music videos, feature films and photo shoots -- celebrated its tenth year illuminating the City's skyline Friday.

Nestled in the midst of Santa Monica's three-mile coastline and blazing with more than 7,000 light bulbs, Pacific Park has helped to draw more than 3 million guests a year to the pier.

Since opening in 1996, the amusement park has entertained more than 10 million guests, provided thrills for more than 24 million on its 12 amusement rides and awarded more than 1.9 million pieces of plush at its Pier Pressure Zone's 21 midway games.

It has also emblazoned Santa Monica into the consciousness of countless Southern Californians and visitors worldwide who recognize it as the ubiquitous backdrop of local weathercasts and among the opening shots of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

"Pacific Park has been a wonderful, family-oriented addition to the Santa Monica Pier," said Council member Pam O'Connor, who was mayor during Pacific Park's inauguration. "I have fond memories of the opening and can't believe ten years have flown by.

"I look forward to the next ten, with Pacific Park continuing to help draw tourists and Santa Monica families to the Pier," O'Connor said.

Pacific Park has received numerous accolades and achievements and its solar-powered Ferris wheel -- which has provided a spectacular view of the Santa Monica Bay for more than 3 million riders -- was selected by Reader's Digest as Best in America 2006.

"This is a momentous occasion for all of us associated with Pacific Park, its investors, the City of Santa Monica, the Pier Restoration Corporation and all Santa Monica residents," says Mary Ann Powell, Pacific Park's CEO and general manger.

"I'm very proud of our staff, employees and vendors for their ability to continue to provide a great family entertainment value in such a dynamic and challenging environment," Powell said.

In its ten years, Pacific Park has given back to the community, providing more
than $100,000 in in-kind donations to various organizations and establishing a partnership with the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL. Every year, Pacific Park hosts PALpalooza, an annual charity event to raise funds for PAL's youth programs.

The Park has hosted numerous private and special events for organizations including Microsoft, Columbia Pictures, Pepsi, the Democratic National Convention, UCLA Children's Hospital and McDonald's.

The two-acre boasts several eye-popping stats from daily operations over the last ten years including:

• The spinning of over 462,000 pieces of cotton candy.
  
• The scooping of more than 42,000 gallons of ice cream.
  
• The brewing of a perky 651,000 cups of coffee.

Visitors to the park have included Angelina Jolie and son Maddox, Halle Berry, Dustin Hoffman, Cher, Mark Wahlberg, Lily Tomlin, Vince Vaughn, Keanu Reeves, Adam Brody and Paris Hilton, among others.

Pacific Park follows a long and rich tradition of attractions on the 97-year-old pier -- from the Hippodrome building in 1916 to the first appearance of the Carousel in 1942.

For additional information and hours of operation, call (310) 260-8744 or visit pacpark.com.