SERIOUSLY, what an event!!!!!! I knew it was going to be fun. I knew it was going to be long. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the riders.

image courtesy of Sayamon Riddang

We started with 30 carousel riders, who were trying to win $10,000. They were all excited, eager and pretty much up for anything. As the carousel started to take its first spin the 30 contestants began the ride of their lives. They stayed on the carousel, butts & thighs burning, friends, family & San Diego cheering them on, for as long as they could. They got to know each other. I got to know them. They cheered each other on and tried to tattle on each other. There were times of complete boredom, and times of absolute excitement. And inevitably riders were slowly kicked off, one by one. Some were kicked off for technicalities, others left of their own free will. 13 riders rode for the entire time and entered into the trivia portion of the contest at 3 pm on Saturday. As I read the trivia questions, which consisted of 80's pop trivia, my heart broke a little each time someone was eliminated. In the end there could only be one winner. One $10,000 winner. And that person was Mark Papenfuss.

image courtesy of Sayamon Riddang

He was the very first person to be picked as a rider. He then was the last rider standing. I personally almost elimnated him twice. But he held on, held on by the skin of his teeth. And I bet that he and his family are glad that he did.

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the event! An even bigger THANK YOU to all the riders. Thanks for taking a chance on a crazy event idea and thanks for being good sports. We hope that Seaport Village will hold a special place in your heart. You definitely hold a special place in ours.

There were TONS of photo & video footage taken. I promise to post more and recount some fun stories in the coming week so keep checking back. I just need to sleep for a day.... or two. Once I am thinking clearly again, we will recount what an awesome time it really was.

Loving those carousel riders (truly), Boardwalk Betty

Below is the press release that Seaport Village is sending out. Read all about it!

San Diego, CA – This weekend Seaport Village celebrated its third decade with an event that entertained and challenged San Diegans like never before. Papenfuss was awarded $10,000 for riding the historic Seaport Village carousel for 30 hours straight.

30 participants took the challenge of riding Seaport Village’s historic carousel for 30 hours. Chosen participants circled around the carousal through the night and into the next day in hopes of being the last one on the ride and the grand-prize winner of $10,000. Riders were tested not only on their will power to stay on the constantly rotating carousal, but also faced elimination through 80s trivia questions. Spectators were invited to ride the carousel with contestants throughout the entire event and cheer on their favorite rider.

Papenfuss, a resident of La Mesa plans to take his wife and two nine year-old daughters to Hawaii and buy a 3-D television with his winnings.

“We were blown away by the support from the community to come out and celebrate Seaport’s 30th anniversary,” said Terry Hall, Seaport Village General Manager. “Over the past 30 years, we have strived to make this 14-acre property more than a shopping center, but also, an entertainment venue and this event accomplished just that.” “The 30th anniversary event this weekend showed us just how much Seaport Village means to San Diegans all over the county. It is our hope to continue to be a staple in our community for generations to come.”

The event took place on October 8 and 9, 2010 and paid tribute to Seaport’s longevity as an icon of San Diego. Festivities lasted through the night, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday and ending at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Open in 1980, the bayside center was constructed to accommodate shopping and dining tenants and has been a key player in the redevelopment of San Diego’s downtown area. Seaport Village has since become a favorite downtown venue and this weekend the village celebrated with a marathon carousel ride.

14 of Seaport’s original tenants celebrated the landmark milestone with them including Greek Islands Café, Upstart Crow Coffee House & Bookstore, Village Hat Shop, Swings n’ Things and Apple Box Toys. These charmed shops and restaurants have helped Seaport Village maintain a reputation of familiarity among locals and a sense of pride throughout the village, immediately recognizable by visitors. In recent months, the village has signed a number of new tenants that bring a fresh and youthful vibe to the venue including Lavish Bath & Body, Urban Girl Accessories and Exclusive Collections Art Gallery.