The famous Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will illuminate in honor of Kobe Bryant this Thursday, August 24, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

The Ferris Wheel is located in Pacific Park, a free-to-enter amusement park that often changes the wheel’s illumination.

Since 2016, August 24 has been known as Kobe Bryant Day, or Mamba Day in Los Angeles, with the 8/24 date representing the two jersey numbers he wore with the Lakers. The “Mamba” represents his nickname and personal branding.

Bryant’s birthday was Wednesday, August 23, as the NBA hall 0f famer would have turned 45.

The city of Los Angeles continues to honor Bryant posthumously, with the star passing on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter accident. In 2022, the NBA renamed the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award to the Kobe Bryant Trophy. In the past, Los Angeles City Hall has also lit up in Laker purple in Bryant’s honor.

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and nine others were on their way to the Mamba Sports Academy in the city of Thousand Oaks for a youth basketball tournament.

Bryant was survived by his wife, Vanessa Bryant and three other daughters — Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, but the Ferris wheel may still be viewed from a distance, as well as on a continuous livestream on its web page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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