1984 World's Fair Gondola in New Orleans | What Happened To It?

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  • Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
  • In 1984, New Orleans hosted the Louisiana World Exposition, or World's Fair, which featured all kinds of attractions, rides, food, and displays. The ride most people remember though is the Gondola that crossed the Mississippi River from over 300 feet in the air. What happened to it and what is left?
    Photo credit links:
    Bill Cotter - World's Fair Photos
    www.worldsfairphotos.com/
    Michael Strauch
    streetcarmike.com/
    The Cajun
    ontransmigration.blogspot.com/...
    Video credit links:
    RUclips - WDSU
    • WDSU-TV 1984 World's F...
    • World's Fair Gondola 1...
    RUclips - WWL
    • 1984 Louisiana World E...
    RUclips - MISTERRICHARDSON
    • A Trip around the 1984...
    RUclips - French Quarter Undercover
    • New Orleans Anti Terro...
    Nesbits Poeyfarre Market
    nesbitsmarket.com/
    T-shirts & more: shop.spreadshirt.com/noladeej
    Website: www.noladeej.com
    Instagram: @noladeej
    Twitter: @noladeej
    Facebook Group: NolaDeej and Friends
    Hi there, I’m NOLADEEJ! I go to different places in and around New Orleans and sometimes to other cities, states, and countries. I visit ​Roadside Attractions, Historical Spots, Cemeteries, Abandoned Places, Festivals and Events. ​I try to check as much out as I can and share what I find here so everyone can enjoy it. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing to my channel. I post videos often! Thanks for dropping by!
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Комментарии • 141

  • @NOLADEEJ
    @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +10

    Instagram NOLADEEJ
    The World's Fair in New Orleans was something I will always remember. Did you ever go to a World's Fair? If so, which one?

    • @deejayakanolasunshine9538
      @deejayakanolasunshine9538 3 года назад +2

      I went to this World's fair. I was much younger. This video brought back so many memories. Especially riding in the gondola!

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад +1

      @@deejayakanolasunshine9538 that's awesome! I wish I would have gotten to ride it.

    • @deejayakanolasunshine9538
      @deejayakanolasunshine9538 3 года назад

      It was an experience I will never forget! I loved all of the beautiful sculptures an rides. Everything was big. I remember riding the gigantic ferris wheel. I loved everything about The World's Fair. Sorry it wasn't managed better. It was a real jewel❤️

  • @BringItOn31124
    @BringItOn31124 Год назад +5

    All Louisiana students received a free ticket to that fair and each school decided on which day they would close so they could attend. I was just starting my senior year of high school when me and my friends attended it. By the time we attended, the space shuttle was already gone, which is one thing I really wanted to see. Remember rocking in the wind on that gondola while taunting my friend who was petrified (with his eyes closed) and almost peeing on himself. I still have a glass, 1984 worlds fair mug. Great memories.

  • @stukksmith122
    @stukksmith122 Месяц назад +3

    Love the gondola memories! I rode it with my Dad and can still remember the absolute THRILL of dangling above the river! So much fun!

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  Месяц назад

      I always wanted to ride it lol

  • @steamfan7147
    @steamfan7147 4 года назад +19

    My neighbor bought two of the Gondolas at the auction. He put one next to his driveway entrance, so his kids would have a place to stay out of the weather while waiting on the school bus. The other one sat out by his pond as a fishing shed.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +1

      Oh very cool!

    • @steamfan7147
      @steamfan7147 2 года назад

      @@Justscrapping1 No idea, it could have been little or a lot. He was kind of a collector of odd things.

  • @latridic
    @latridic 4 года назад +5

    I was 13 and that World's Fair was practically magical for me. I think I rode this Louisiana boat ride a million times. I don't think my mom would let me ride the gondola. Oh what fond memories I have of that fair. My husband had bought some of the outdoor speakers and put them on our house in Diamondhead, MS and they were so outdated but they were a memory. We kept them until Katrina took them away in 2005. Thanks for another trip down memory lane.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      The Louisiana Journey was my fave

  • @Poseman61
    @Poseman61 4 месяца назад +2

    I was at the World Fair 84 . I rode the Gondola across and back . The Stay Cays was playing night I was there .

  • @abramquinn7726
    @abramquinn7726 3 года назад +3

    I was 7 years old!! The gondolas and the elevators at the Hyatt Regency....will NEVER FORGET!

  • @borod5571
    @borod5571 4 года назад +8

    My Uncle use to have one. He had it in on his Hunting Camp in Mississippi, He used it for a Deer Stand. He passed away a few yrs ago, and sold the Camp a yr before he passed away. As far as I know it's still out there.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +1

      Oh that's a cool way to use one!

  • @BreakfastTacos
    @BreakfastTacos Год назад +3

    Thanks for the coverage! I rode that Gondola when i was 5 years old and still have emotional scars from it! The experience was harrowing beyond description, let me tell you.

  • @kenrickbaughman992
    @kenrickbaughman992 4 дня назад

    Bringing back solid memories. I grew up in West Jefferson Parrish Gretna 504. As kids before worlds fair opened in 1982 we would ride our BMX bikes to Fulton street mall, we always watched the fireworks at midnight by the ferris wheel.

  • @seanchick5918
    @seanchick5918 Месяц назад +1

    One of my first memories was riding the gondola and looking down at the river. On the west bank in particular the gondola was very much missed. Those towers I recall seeing all the time growing up.
    Also glad you did a shout out to French Quarter Undercover. I watched it during a bad movie night in 2017.

  • @johnhareiel5118
    @johnhareiel5118 Год назад +2

    Skipped the '84 Worlds Fair when we got to my cousins house and I saw all his Star Wars toys. So I stayed there all day instead with the Millennium Falcoln

  • @EarthAngel504
    @EarthAngel504 2 года назад +2

    I went to the world's fair when i was very young and i still have vague memories of it. I believe a lot of those memories were repressed, because i specifically remember, Going to the Fair on a field trip in elementary school. My teacher took off the next day to spend another day at the fair, and i remember getting news that day in school that she had died either on her way to the fair or leaving it. she was in a car crash and was ejected through her front window. To this day i still remember that, and even remember her name, Mrs Bostell (if that's the correct spelling) It's funny how i remember so much detail about her accident. Where i was in classroom, and hearing about it from the Substitute teacher and everything, I even remember the girls in the class room all at once start to cry and had see counselors or go home early, and i also remember 1 teacher crying saying, "If only she didn't go back to the fair".. It's strange how i remember all of that, yet have so few fragmented memories of the World's Fair that day prior, when it was like a highlight.

  • @OutdoorsWithShawn
    @OutdoorsWithShawn 4 года назад +7

    I remember riding the MART. I think that where my fear of heights came from.
    I still have a snow globe and a figurine of the pelican.

  • @lanahaire2418
    @lanahaire2418 3 года назад +2

    Bought Season Passports for the fair. Got so excited watching the opening on TV that we went the first afternoon. Rode the Gondola. The pods swayed in the wind and the views were amazing! But once was enough! My favorite things were the LA Boat Ride, The Vatican Exhibit, the food, music and nightly fire works! We loved everything!

  • @9thGenerationCajun
    @9thGenerationCajun 4 года назад +5

    I was 8 when it opened , First time I had seen ninja throwing stars and my folks actually baught me one. My dad worked a few blocks away at the Royal Sonesta at that time.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Oh wow I think I got a throwing star too! Very cool!

  • @jason32708
    @jason32708 Год назад +2

    I remember riding across the river on MART with my Father when i was 12. What a memory. The space shuttle, and the monorail..memories of a New Orleans before that S.O.B. Mitch Landrieu..

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  Год назад

      I always wanted to and never got to

  • @MichelleLeBlanc-gc5si
    @MichelleLeBlanc-gc5si Месяц назад +1

    I have quite a collection of Worlds Fair memorabilia

  • @joecapro3499
    @joecapro3499 4 года назад +5

    Great video!!
    I was eleven when the fair opened. I remember riding this thing with my dad. We got stuck in the middle for almost an hour. Scared the hell out of me.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Thank you! I never got to ride it

  • @JenniferandMark2014
    @JenniferandMark2014 4 года назад +9

    I have such fond memories of the fair when I was a kid. I love seeing Neptune every time we are in that area. My mom and grandma were so afraid of the gondola, but we rode it anyway. You did a great job on this video ❤️Jenn

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +1

      My favorite thing there was the Louisiana Journey in the Great Hall.. that was so cool

    • @JenniferandMark2014
      @JenniferandMark2014 4 года назад

      NOLADEEJ was that the boat ride?

  • @jkjvicknair1029
    @jkjvicknair1029 4 года назад +3

    This is so awesome. I remember this very vividly. I loved the monorail and the Louisiana boat ride.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      The Louisiana Journey was my favorite!

  • @timleem3609
    @timleem3609 3 года назад +2

    My wife and I had season passports to the Fair and loved it! There was the shuttle Enterprise and the U.S. Navy ship the Stump and so much to do there. They had another people carrier that ran just along the riverfront and it was awesome. Happy memories.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад

      Very cool! Yeah the shuttle!! Loved seeing that!

  • @Justscrapping1
    @Justscrapping1 2 года назад +1

    I went as a kid and it was great!

  • @stefanwatts9934
    @stefanwatts9934 3 года назад +9

    I remember riding in it and being stuck over the river for 10 minutes on one of it numerous breakdowns. The longest breakdown lasted for 3 hours, can only imagine how those people must have felt.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад +1

      I always wanted to ride it, but I would not have liked to be stuck up there, lol

  • @Urbexplus
    @Urbexplus 4 года назад +7

    Cool seeing this my parents always talk about the world’s fair. But I’m not gonna lie you couldn’t pay me to get on that ride over the river lol 😂

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +3

      Haha yeah no way would I go on that thing now!

    • @edwardcairejr.3599
      @edwardcairejr.3599 3 года назад +2

      I was sober the first time I went on the gondola and screamed The Lord's Prayer during the whole trip. I spent a few hours in The Miller Beer Garden fortifying myself with beer and schnapps before my second trip. The first trip was a religious experience, however, I must say that the second trip was much more pleasant.😏

  • @comichound
    @comichound 2 года назад +1

    I was there in 1984 and rode the gondolas.

  • @catladycc
    @catladycc Год назад

    I wish it was still there. Never knew there was a Worlds Fair in New Orleans til I started looking for old pics of Riverwalk Mall before it became an outlet mall. That explains why it looks retro out by the river in some places.

  • @VVilde36
    @VVilde36 Год назад

    thank you for compiling all this and visiting nesbit! I can't beleive its just outthere, I'm gonna visit it when I finally have an off day!!!!

  • @leonardnash6817
    @leonardnash6817 3 года назад +1

    I was there. 10 years old. By way of Los Angeles California. I was fortunate to see a lot and remember riding the Mart. Later that summer I was at the 84 Olympics and turned 11. What a year for a 10 year old

  • @tiffanydtaylor1571
    @tiffanydtaylor1571 2 года назад

    This is cool. I am born and raised in New Orleans I never knew this. I love the history.

  • @noz_redna
    @noz_redna Год назад

    Thank you for this video. Great nostalgic memories.

  • @missvegan1967
    @missvegan1967 2 месяца назад +1

    Nice narration!❤

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  2 месяца назад

      Thanks so much!

  • @maxwellroxy3184
    @maxwellroxy3184 4 года назад +1

    I took a vacation in October 1984 to go to the world's fair in New Orleans. I rode the gondola across the river. It was fun, but it was expensive as I remember. Every year after I tried to go to New Orleans for Halloween until the mid 1990s. The thing that I liked most was the fried crawfish tails sold at the food vendors. They were soooooo good and were served with a New Orleans spicy dipping sauce (I can still taste it). The Australian exhibit was the most impressive. It had a huge room that was carpeted on the floor, walls and ceiling with Australian wool carpet. The bleachers were actual stair steps that were upholstered with wool carpet also.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      That's really cool! I never got to ride the gondola, and I don't remember a whole lot about it. Just pieces of memories. I do remember the Louisiana Journey ride though which I loved.

  • @Imeraldgyrl
    @Imeraldgyrl 3 года назад

    The 1984 World's Fair was wonderful. Good Times!

  • @robylove9190
    @robylove9190 4 года назад +1

    Hey Deej. This was a really cool video. Thanks!

  • @JyvynShpdinterlude
    @JyvynShpdinterlude 3 года назад +1

    I never heard of this until now.😲

  • @DallasBoricua
    @DallasBoricua 4 года назад +1

    Great video showing and reminding us all about a moment we enjoyed long ago. Thanks my friend.

  • @newclothes8165
    @newclothes8165 4 года назад +2

    I didnt know much about the New Orleans Worlds Fair except they filmed and episode of "Gimmie a Break" from there. I never heard of that huge gondola. This was a good and informative video. I was sad to see the end of the worlds fairs. But I was lucky to have my state host one in 1982 in Knoxville, TN

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +1

      Oh wow I didn't know about the Gimme a Break filming there! Yeah I believe this Fair was unsuccessful partly because they had the 82 fair only 2 years before and not that much further away.

    • @newclothes8165
      @newclothes8165 4 года назад

      @@NOLADEEJ ruclips.net/video/jkIkPFXldQA/видео.html

  • @tanyadoe8086
    @tanyadoe8086 4 года назад +1

    Great vlog! Always a thumbs up 👍

  • @SplorinRyan
    @SplorinRyan 4 года назад +2

    Soooo good dude! I am so happy I got to experience the fair, and this is the closest I've come to reliving it

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Thanks man! I'm pretty proud of this one!

  • @rayraymond2952
    @rayraymond2952 4 года назад +1

    Thanks. Your vid brought back fond memories. Richard :)

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      I'm glad I could help :) thanks for checking it out

  • @marydugan3399
    @marydugan3399 4 года назад +1

    Wow what a neat place would love to see it thanks for taking us along

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Yeah it was pretty awesome

  • @NolaGal2601
    @NolaGal2601 3 года назад +2

    Someone on Airline Park Blvd. in Metairie has one of the gondolas sitting in their front yard. They are a few houses from W. Napoleon Ave.

  • @kimcampbell7972
    @kimcampbell7972 3 года назад

    Great video! I was a year old in 1984. I have souvenirs and pictures of visiting the World's Fair, but I obviously don't remember it at that age, which is too bad. That gondola ride would be terrifying! I remember the towers on either side of the river, though.

  • @raymondsolisjr.1262
    @raymondsolisjr.1262 3 года назад

    I remember i was 5 and i remember the Jazz music

  • @lisad476
    @lisad476 4 года назад +1

    Very cool. Wish I could have seen all those things. Would have been fun

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      It was such a great experience!

  • @JohnnieV
    @JohnnieV 4 года назад +1

    Very informative as usual. I was there opening day. Rummel high band. Lol.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Thank you! Hah that's awesome!!

  • @christopherfava2529
    @christopherfava2529 2 года назад +1

    My parents took me when I was like 3 years old in 1984 barley remember

  • @sullyward
    @sullyward 2 года назад

    I remember riding the gondola when I was four years old, it stopped in the middle of the river and my cousin tried to open the door.

  • @NULL7489
    @NULL7489 3 года назад

    I went to the world’s fair in may 12 1984 in New Orleans at 9:48 pm

  • @etiennebreaux8623
    @etiennebreaux8623 3 года назад +1

    Fond memories!

  • @the_love_token
    @the_love_token 3 года назад +2

    Rode that thing way too many times than I should have. It was so rickety but I was too young to realize it was scary and maybe dangerous. I was on the Westbank so it was actual transportation for me. Parents would drop kids off/pick up there.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад

      That's really cool!! I never got to ride it.

  • @Traveler_Greg
    @Traveler_Greg 4 года назад +1

    Great vlog and very interesting place. Greetings my friend and thanks for sharing. Have a nice day. 👍178

  • @aftermathOG
    @aftermathOG 4 года назад +3

    I remember going to this. Im always looking for videos to reminisce and bring back memories. You did an excellent job putting all the information together. Well done👍 isnt one of the big gators still used as a float? When they stopped all tandems this year, it was sure weird seeing tractors pulling the head, torso, and tail separated.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      I believe the Baccagator in the Bacchus parade evolved from one of the gators. And I think another gator is used for another parade outside of New Orleans.

    • @aftermathOG
      @aftermathOG 4 года назад

      @@NOLADEEJ i think you are correct. just the head of a gator that looks like it would be from there is always used in a parade float for houma area.

  • @cruisingwithwilliam
    @cruisingwithwilliam 4 года назад +1

    I enjoy this video

  • @ChristheShrinerdawg
    @ChristheShrinerdawg 3 года назад +2

    Seattle has the 1962 World’s Fair and we still use some of the buildings (that’s when the Space Needle first opened).

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад +2

      That's cool! I think that's the true legacy of these fairs, the stuff that was revitalized.

    • @ChristheShrinerdawg
      @ChristheShrinerdawg 3 года назад +1

      NOLADEEJ I 100% agree. It makes me wish I was alive to experience them.

  • @kellygaudin6031
    @kellygaudin6031 Год назад +1

    I have one of these in my yard.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  Год назад +1

      Really?? That's so cool!! I want one, haha!

  • @EJ_Rose
    @EJ_Rose 2 года назад +1

    0:55 I won’t sleep!!!

  • @retrospectrum
    @retrospectrum 4 года назад +1

    Hellz Yesssss!

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Forgot to link you before I made it live, lol! Sorry man

  • @emeraldgypsyheart
    @emeraldgypsyheart 4 года назад +4

    I was probably the only local kid who didn’t get to go... someone stole my tickets...

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Oh no! That sucks!

  • @EJ_Rose
    @EJ_Rose 2 года назад +1

    0:36 I won’t be able to sleep tonight

  • @nezlover
    @nezlover 4 года назад +1

    Stay safe💙

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Thank you! You too!

  • @carolynhurlburt3054
    @carolynhurlburt3054 3 года назад +1

    why have i never heard of this World's fair?? Saw you ontv Noladee.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  3 года назад

      Oh very cool! 😁

  • @MoviemaniaNick
    @MoviemaniaNick 4 года назад +1

    Hey it's the skyliner! lol

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Haha pretty much!

  • @JohnnieV
    @JohnnieV 5 месяцев назад +1

    I can’t believe they tore the gondola down. lol.

  • @retrospectrum
    @retrospectrum 4 года назад +1

    This is great 👍. Hope you don’t mind if I link this video to mine.

  • @EJ_Rose
    @EJ_Rose 2 года назад +1

    1:00 MOM! I CANT SLEEP!!!!!!!!

  • @ElGrecoDaGeek
    @ElGrecoDaGeek 2 года назад

    I went with my parents when I Was about 7 years old. My sister was 4. I recall watching Indian Jones on TV that night after having Burger King (maybe McDonalds). I recall hearing on the news that the planets were aligned that night. Based on that it sounds like we went on May 14th, 2 days after it opened. Pretty crazy. Trying to figure out what hotel we stayed at. I recall it was nearby, but I was 7 ... who knows. Pretty sure the McDonalds/Burger King was nearby b/c I think we walked but I can't find one near the convention center and I'm pretty sure we were nearby. I'll have to ask my parents. Hopefully they recall where we stayed.
    We lived in Natchez at the time and my mom had just gotten her citizenship a year or so earlier (she's from Greece). My dad met her while he was in the Navy.

    • @ElGrecoDaGeek
      @ElGrecoDaGeek 2 года назад

      Another thing that I have a distinct memory of - eating my first egg roll. I was concerned b/c I wasn't sure how they "rolled an egg" LOL

  • @SisKelly
    @SisKelly Год назад +1

    I survived the gondola!

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  Год назад

      I never went on it :(

  • @johnmakin3225
    @johnmakin3225 4 года назад +1

    I had no idea there was a worlds fair in NOLA. No way I would ride that unless money was involved. Terrifying!!!

  • @mcmneverreadsreplys7318
    @mcmneverreadsreplys7318 4 года назад +1

    Came back to visit my folks and see the WF. Chose not to ride the MART, mostly due to the high extra cost. Besides, I'd been on gondolas before at various amusement parks. There, they worked well for orienting yourself with a "bird's eye view" of the park. At the NOWF it was nothing but a ride over the river. OK, it was really HIGH and that would have been cool, but not at the price they wanted. ALSO, a fall from a normal "SKY RIDE" (like at Pontchartrain Beach, or Disney, or 6 Flags, etc) has a statistically real but low chance of killing you, while a fall from the MART would have been a "gua-ron-teed" death sentence with a good chance of no recovery of the bodies. Again, "Not at that price, Thank you very much." As for the fair, I still have and use the brass Louisiana Man belt buckle I purchased there (after just a bit of haggling.) Also, I understand that the coming of the WF was one of the factors in the closing of Pontchartrain Beach. Not happy about that.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      Yeah I think falling into the river is definitely a bad thing, lol

  • @BIendtecc
    @BIendtecc Год назад +1

    5:13 I’ve always wanted to go in the area of 48, 49 and 50 but unfortunately it’s boarded up. Does anyone know if it’s like a big hallway in there or just little small areas?

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  Год назад +1

      I'm not sure, I think it's divided up

  • @JohnnieV
    @JohnnieV 4 года назад +1

    Is the aquarium building from the world's fair?? I was 14 in 84

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад +1

      No it was built in 1990 I believe

  • @jonk9977
    @jonk9977 7 месяцев назад +1

    Ah,4 year old me and mom's..

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  7 месяцев назад +1

      Memories

  • @brookeduncan9699
    @brookeduncan9699 4 года назад +1

    Whatever happened to the monorail?

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  4 года назад

      It's still in operation at the Miami Zoo

  • @SDVHILzseriolih
    @SDVHILzseriolih Год назад

    I know where pod 28 is and its not in good shape sadly :(

  • @MASTERPPA
    @MASTERPPA Год назад

    There is another MART carriage in someone's front yard in outside of NOLA.. Very funny

  • @michaeltillman1147
    @michaeltillman1147 3 года назад +1

    I was 13. First time I got drunk. School field and some guy making daiquiris pored out of the wrong batch. That wasn't virgin! Oops. 😎

  • @sonnyvito504
    @sonnyvito504 8 месяцев назад +1

    New Orleans sucks man we always fail at everything. Imagine if we still had all this. We would have our own Coney Island.

    • @NOLADEEJ
      @NOLADEEJ  8 месяцев назад

      I wish we still had the Gondola!

  • @alanlantz5131
    @alanlantz5131 3 года назад +1

    Was the gondola sponsored by a Jerry Metafee who owned Bourbon Pub?