DelGrosso’s to celebrate National Carousel Day with free rides

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — DelGrosso’s Park is celebrating National Carousel Day with a very special treat for parkgoers this year for the Herschell-Spillman Carousel’s 100th Birthday.

On July 25, the park will be offering free rides all day on the antique carousel. They’ll also have free giveaways and there will be a chance for some lucky ducks to win two amazing carousel-themed raffle baskets.

The carousel is the pride and joy of the park and it sits in the middle of all the action. It was even the theme for this year’s Summer Thunder.

“I’m going to actually say millions of people who have been on the backs of these horses and listening to this great music all through the years,” Carl Crider, President of DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash.

“Generations now of people who have been on the carousel,” Amy Mearkle, Director of Marketing said.

It’s the only ride still in operation from when Fred DelGrosso purchased Bland’s Park in the fall of 1946. It’s the centerpiece of the amusement park, with three rows of a dozen horses each.

All the horses on the carousel are hand-painted and hand-carved. They also represent a variety of breeds with the lead horse having a distinct red sash . In case you didn’t know, the lead horse is also affectionately nicknamed Ferdinand.

It was built in 1924 by the Spillman Engineering Corporation in North Tonawanda, NY. The antique piece is one of only 30 carousels left in Pennsylvania and not many remain across the nation.

The ride has seen generations of people come back year after year.

“That’s what keeps you going every day. I mean the smiles on people’s faces, that gives you the energy, I just look at them, and then I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go for the day,” Crider added.

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From the calming, peaceful feeling you get while on it to the nostalgic melody the organ plays. You’re on a ride through history.

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