The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is turning 100 years old this week. The wooden roller coaster opened on May 17, 1924. It took 47 days to build, cost $50,000 and became one of the most popular coasters in the country before it was named a national historic landmark in 1987.The Giant Dipper is the fourth-oldest roller coaster in the country, according to park officials, with more than 68 million people taking a ride over its 100-year history. “I like the adrenaline when you first go into the roller coaster with the view,” said one park-goer after getting off the ride recently. “I like that it is exhilarating, and it has that excitement without having that complete terror,” another rider said. We asked Kris Reyes with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk how one keeps a wooden roller coaster rolling for 100 years.“We take great care of this coaster. We have for 100 years. We have a dedicated team of coaster mechanics who work on the Giant Dipper roller coaster and our other roller coasters every single day,” Reyes said. Coaster mechanics like Neil Kunkel who walks the tracks every day and inspects the trains, too. He also rides the ride every day to ensure it is working properly. “They (coaster mechanics) are doing everything they can to keep this ride running. They are an amazing team, and we are very proud of them,” Reyes said.Over the years, big blockbusters have featured the Giant Dipper including Santa Cruz's classic "The Lost Boys" but that is not all. Jordan Peele’s 2019 blockbuster "Us," 2018 Transformer spinoff "Bumblebee," Michelle Pfeiffer’s hit "Dangerous Minds" and Clint Eastwood’s "Sudden Impact" all featured the coaster, according to the park. “It just lets you experience the coaster along with the actors,” Gladys Rodriguez with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk said. But more special than Hollywood is the generational connection of a coaster that’s been around for a century.“It is nostalgic,” park-goer Allie Soto said. “It reminds me of when I was a kid when my grandparents and parents took me on it.” “A few years ago, my great-grandmother came here with me, and she really wanted to go here and so we went on together and it was such a special moment,” said Gianna Gomez, another park-goer. “I rode this ride with my grandparents, my parents. I’ve ridden it with my son. And people pass that tradition from family member to family member,” Reyes said. In celebration of the 100th anniversary, the park will hold a special ceremony on Saturday, May 17th at 10:30 a.m. at the park. People will also have a chance to win special prizes and enjoy fireworks. The park is also offering Dipper Days where you can ride the Giant Dipper for only $1 every Wednesday, May 29 through August 7.For more information click, HERE. Interesting FactsIn 1924, a ride was 15 cents. Today, it is $8 to ride.The ride was built by Arthur Looff whose father worked on the carousel and helped bring it to the boardwalk 13 years prior.During the Loma Prieta Earthquake, while the boardwalk did see its share of damage, the roller coaster saw little to no damage.Along with the millions of riders, some celebrities have also been on the iconic roller coaster including Wilt Chamberlain, nicknamed the "Big Dipper." The 7-foot-tall center played five seasons with the Warriors including when they were in Philadelphia. He rode the coaster in 1963 about a year after the team moved to San Francisco and his 100-point game.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories here | Download our app.