GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ohio (WOIO) – A 70-year-old Ferris wheel was blown over by high winds during a storm that hit the town and much of Northeast Ohio Sunday afternoon.
The Ferris wheel, once part of Erieview Park and now owned by the Old Firehouse Winery, toppled over as severe weather moved through the area.
No injuries were reported.
“I rode that ferris wheel since I was a kid. It’s just history gone now,” said Doug Barrett of Geneva.
Much of Geneva-on-the-Lake’s main street and downtown were also left without power as well.
Joleen Anderson, general manager of the Old Firehouse Winery, said the storm moved in quickly.
“You can see the clouds kind of moving around at a really rapid pace. And then before we knew it, was here,” Anderson said.
People were riding the Ferris wheel until just before the storm arrived. Staff closed the attraction before the winds picked up and worked to get everyone to safety.
“It was quite a shock obviously for everybody,” Anderson said.
Winery owner Woody Woodward had saved the Ferris wheel from being scrapped when Erieview Park closed, but he recently died. Anderson said the loss of the attraction comes as staff are still processing his death.
“So it’s in dealing with the mess, we’re also dealing with a lot of those emotions as well,” Anderson said.
Wanda Timme, who grew up in Geneva, said this is a big loss.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken. This is our town’s piece of history and I’m just so sad,” Timme said.
Anderson said they will try to bring back the Ferris wheel, however if they cannot, they will keep the memory alive.
“Geneva-on-the-Lake is, it is about history. It’s about generations. It’s about family. And, you know, we will always keep that spirit going,” Anderson said.
Many businesses in Geneva-on-the-Lake remained without power Monday evening. They are dealing with the loss of perishable goods and lost business during the busy tourism season.
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