New “Look 360” Observation Tower Celebrated Premiere in Düsseldorf

(eap) From 12 to 21 July, the German Rhine river city Düsseldorf once again attracted visitors with its annual “Schützenfest” folk festival and the associated Rheinkirmes funfair, which – with some four million visitors every year – is considered the “biggest funfair on the Rhine”. This time, the diverse range of rides and attractions also included the new mobile viewing tower “Look 360” from the Schneider showmen family, in which fairgoers could travel up to a height of 70 metres in one of the four air-conditioned gondolas to enjoy a panoramic view of the colourful hustle and bustle on the long fairground mile. The manufacturer of this new mobile Viewing Tower is Funtime from Austria – the company is known in particular for its stationary and mobile “StarFlyer” towers and drop towers (most recent openings of stationary attractions: “El Grito” at Djurs Sommerland, see EAP 4/24). The new ride for all age groups can be installed without a crane and the required footprint is stated as 22 x 19 metres.

Also making their debut at the Rhine Fair this year was the “Action House”, a classic funhouse offering sporty fun on wobbly staircases, a rolling barrel, tilting bridges and more elements, all covered by a roof and thus rain-protected. And the thrill ride “Airborne” operated by Dutch showman Ordelman. In this ride, passengers were propelled up to a height of 65 metres and back down again, while the gondola units mounted on the right and left of the support arms also rotated for overhead turns. In addition, numerous classic children’s, family and large rides that have become firmly established at the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes in previous years were also on-site, including the “Alpina” coaster, the popular “Bellevue” Ferris wheel operated by showmen family Oscar Bruch Jr., the “Wild Mouse XXL” and the “Rio Rapidos” water ride – mobile versions of popular amusement park attractions that are set to provide fun and enjoyment at numerous other funfairs throughout Europe over the course of the year. ■