500 Kids Festival to center around Ferris Wheel, Rookie Run

The largest children's festival in the state just added a big new attraction.

Families attending the 500 Kids Festival on Saturday will have the option to ride a newly constructed Ferris Wheel standing 70 feet above The Circle.

"We were just walking by and (my son) was like, 'Can we ask them if they can lower the price? Whatever it costs to get on it?’” said Olga Vejil of Carmel.

Families don’t need to worry about price because rides on the Ferris Wheel and admission to the 500 Kids Festival are both free. The event runs from 12-4 p.m. Saturday at Monument Circle.

Megan Bulla, 500 Festival spokeswoman, said the Ferris Wheel is one of two used at the Indiana State Fair, and authorities are making sure it runs safely.

"It's a state mandate that it will be inspected. This Ferris Wheel is inspected itself every year and then someone will be here to make sure that it's going up correctly,” Bulla said. "We've been assured that it's the safest in the business."

Kids must be at least 48 inches tall if they want to ride the Ferris Wheel by themselves, but any child can ride it if they have an adult with them.

The kids festival also features the Rookie Run, a short race for ages 3-12. Parents are also allowed on the course to help their kids.

There will be several activities like a “build-a-sash” stand, where an aspiring 500 princess can get help decorating a sash. There will also be a “build-a-race-car” stand and several race car simulators.

The hardest part for some families is deciding what to do.

"Get in the race car?" Rocco Megaro asked his daughter Adele.

"No. The Ferris Wheel," Adele said.

Officials with the 500 Festival expect more than 40,000 people to attend the Kids Festival. They anticipate more than 500 people will ride the Farris Wheel per hour.