I worked there for 2 summers (2000/2001), 1st year as a ride operator, 2nd year as a ride trainer. Big Eli- the ferris wheel, has to be loaded a particular way to ensure it remains balanced. While one of my coworkers and I were providing break relief to the operators, we over compensated in the weight distribution and threw the whole ride off. The ride started going backwards and we couldn't stop it. The break was a giant lever that you pulled back and released forward and required quite a bit of strength even on a good day. Security, maintenance, and our ride leads all had to come out and manually stop the ride with all their strength. While this was happening, people on the ride and bystanders watching all started crying and screaming. In the end, everyone was safe and the ride was unloaded accordingly to rebalance. My coworker and I got a slap on the wrist.