Pacific Park's Inkie Gets a Record-breaking Hat at the Santa Monica Pier

December 10, 2012 -- What's red, weighs 150 pounds and sits on an octopus' head? The Santa Claus hat Inkie will don for the holidays at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

Photo Credit Pacific Park .

The red floppy hat – which is 18 feet tall and 26 feet in circumference – is the largest Santa Claus hat in Southern California, according to Pacific Park officials.

The hat boasts 40 feet of material, including the white trim on the brim and oversized pompom, and sits atop the purple mascot made of aluminum and steel that graces the entrance to the popular amusement park.

“We continue to look at intriguing new ways to celebrate the holidays, and by taking advantage of Inkie’s unique size and pier location this is a fun way to spread holiday cheer,” says Jeff Klocke, vice president of Marketing and Administration for the park.

“From Inkie’s new Santa hat to the gigantic Christmas tree at the roller coaster, we have decorated the entire two acre park with holiday decor unique to the Santa Monica Pier while creating a distinct Southern California experience,” Klocke said.

The Inkie entryway structure, which debuted with the opening of Pacific Park in May 1996, “hovers above the pier deck with numerous tentacles that provide shade for guests and cover over the oceanfront food court,” officials said.

This holiday season, Pacific Park is also featuring a lifelike Santa Claus on Frog Hopper, the 18-foot-tall children’s spring ride.

“Santa takes center seat as Frog Hopper leaps up to seven young riders straight up and down to heights of nearly two stories providing a feeling of weightlessness and excitement,” park officials said.

The park also is introducing a solar-powered holiday wreath affixed to the lead car of the West Coaster roller coaster. “The colorful wreath lights are powered by two small solar panels set in the garland,” Klocke said.

Pacific Park, which is LA’s only admission free amusement park, introduced the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel and the world’s first wind-powered amusement park game.

Admission to Pacific Park is free. The price for an individual Frog Hopper ride is $3. Pacific Park’s best value is the all-day wristband, providing unlimited use of rides, at $15.95 for guests 7years and below and $22.95 for guests 8 years and older.

The park offers 12 amusement rides, 18 midway games and an oceanfront food plaza. For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744 or visit www.pacpark.com.