Celebrate National Carousel Day today with Willow Grove’s hidden gem

Willow Grove, PA – Today is National Carousel Day and paying a visit to a piece of Pennsylvania history may be the perfect way to celebrate!

In the heart of Willow Grove Park Mall stands a carousel designed as a tribute to the Willow Grove Amusement Park that once occupied the same space.

Willow Grove Amusement Park opened in 1895 by the trolley company as a way to increase weekend visitors to the area.

Two carousels adorned with hand-carved and brightly painted animals were installed in the park after being designed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company by 1902, quickly proving to be the most profitable rides. The carousel animals went on to be considered works of art and very collectible, eventually being put on display in the Peddlers Village Carousel World Museum until 1997.

Today, mallgoers can experience the homage and nostalgia of one of Willow Grove’s most dazzling attractions by taking a spin on the mall’s carousel installed back in 2001. The addition of the carousel was inspired by the mall’s renovations taking on a Victorian-style to be reminiscent of the former amusement park as a whole.

Each animal was modeled after the original by using the Philadelphia Toboggan Company’s molds, and a modern spin incorporated a tiger, elephant, and giraffe to the ride.

Rides on the Willow Grove Park Mall carousel cost $5.

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