Sparks, NV High 78 Low 48
When we were in Billings Todd told us they were building a new Scheels store that was going to have a Ferris wheel. A Ferris wheel??
Now we are in Sparks, NV and I discovered that the Scheels store here is the largest sports warehouse store in the world. (The store in Billings will be the second largest.) I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check this out and Jim could look at fishing stuff.
This store is 275,000 square feet of every type of sports gear you can think of along with a lot of different entertainment areas especially designed to keep the kiddoes happy.
When you walk in the door you are greeted by a 16,000 gallon aquarium.
Yes, there is a Ferris wheel inside. No, we did not ride it. Ferris wheels and I don’t like each other very much. It is a 1930’s era of Ferris wheel that has been restored. Scheels wanted it to be in the Nevada store because George Ferris (who invented the Ferris wheel) used to live in Reno.
Or how about a 35 foot tall Wildlife Mountain.
There is a shooting gallery, a sport simulator where you can test your skill at basketball, soccer, baseball and football. Also test out your driving skills in the NASCAR simulator. Also a fudge shop and deli restaurant.
There is a Walk of Presidents. This is Thomas Jefferson.
I loved this row of Frisbees – all the bright colors. (I didn’t realize this guy’s head was in the middle of my picture til I saw it on the computer.)
Near the exit is a small Ferris wheel museum. The original Ferris wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. as a landmark for the 1893 World’s Columbia Exposition in Chicago.
We spent a couple of hours wandering around the store and Jim was able to find some fishing stuff he didn’t have.
Oh I'd love to go to that place... just once would be enough. I too loved all those frisbees... wow! what color! Doubt if I'd be able to do the Ferris Wheel... but I would enjoy looking at the wildlife and fish.
ReplyDeleteOh man. This is like a huge museum. I would love to see the walk of presidents. Cool place.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Scheels in Iowa City, BUT nothing like this.. afraid I would go crazy!!! It is the coolest store... Was able to find my son Jayhawk t-shirt there, plus many other things :)
ReplyDeleteAnd did not know there was other than just one kind of a Frisbee, but different ones for different activities, think it is part of that Frisbee golf thing in the mid-west, courses everywhere. yes, indeedy that is one cool store and almost makes me want to go see the BIGGEST one!!!!
Looks like the same idea as a Bass Pro Shop or even a Cabela's. I wonder why they built them in smaller cities instead of going after the bigger markets. Maybe because they don't have as many competitors ?? Looks like a fun place to visit for sure.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about visiting one of those in Fargo. They even had bronze presidential statues outside as well.
ReplyDeleteI would stop by and see the one in Sparks except then I'd have to drive through Reno, and that is never a fun drive. But then I could hit the Cabela's on the other side of Reno and find everything I need or a bound to need for the rest of my life!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat store! It must be really, REALLY big for Jim to find fishing stuff he didn't have! I'm not sure 2 hours would be enough time for me to wander....
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool. Maybe I should have gone there to look for hiking shoes.
ReplyDeletewell, what fun! it does remind me of Bass Pro ... a new one is opening soon here ... anxious to see it. don't recall a ferris wheel in a sports store before! I'm with you .. I just never liked riding them. that going in a circle up and down and over ... nope
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. I used to go on Ferris wheels when I was younger. Liked the butterflies-in-the- stomach feeling. Not anymore. The aquarium would now be more after my liking.
ReplyDeleteI have been in several Scheels stores but never one like that. How cool. The mountain reminds me of the Cabela stores
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE that Scheel's and always go there when we're in Reno. What a great place to wander around and even have a snack in the restaurant. I beat my hubby and brother-in-law at the shooting gallery LOL. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWe learn the neatest things from your blog Sandie--here we thought Scheels was a Billings only store!
ReplyDeleteDid Jim try out his new fishing gear in one of those fish tanks?
ReplyDeleteWe were there, Joe took his mom on the ferris wheel. The person operating it was so amazed that a 93 (at that time) year old woman wanted to ride on it, they took extra time and help, got her on and she got an extra long ride. Sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of Scheels but like Cabela's , they seem to be going on out to attract buyers and our money to their stores. I can usually spend a couple of hours wandering around in them and I generally leave a little of my money, so their plan works.
ReplyDeleteGot your message, where are Ginny and Mickey staying near Follow Hollow? It would be fun to stop by and say hello.
ReplyDeleteWhat a store, we will have to visit.
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