NATIONAL MERRY-GO-ROUND DAY
Fast Facts
- WHEN
- Celebrated each year on July 25th
- WHAT
- Celebrates the beautiful, historical creations known as a merry-go-round
- CREATED
- Created by Bette Largent and Ronald Hopkins in 2014
- VIBE
- Nostalgic, light-hearted, historical
NATIONAL MERRY-GO-ROUND DAY
National Merry-Go-Round Day on July 25 recognizes the amusement ride associated with carnival music. Today, we are inviting you to pick your horse or tiger come along for a spin!
#MerryGoRoundDay
The merry-go-round is one of the oldest amusement rides. Also known as the carousel, the merry-go-round rotates on a circular platform around a pole. The platform holds seats for riders while a motor spins the platform around a large central pole. Between rows of seats, passengers ride wooden horses and other animals that are also anchored by poles. Once in a while, the colorful animals move up and down simulating galloping. Meanwhile, calliope music plays, adding a light-hearted atmosphere.
Carousel Facts
The earliest known depiction of the merry-go-round dates to 500 A.D. during the Byzantine Empire.
Franz Wiesenhhoffer created the first merry-go-round in the U.S. in 1840.
The first carousel patent was awarded on July 25, 1871.
Merry-go-rounds are fun to ride and each one is unique. Each animal, bench, or car for passengers ride on a carousel is hand-carved by artists. Ornately detailed elements decorate the poles and canopy of every carousel. What's more, there was no limit to their imaginations! Ferocious tigers and docile lambs carry riders around. All the while the music plays its lilting tune. Undoubtedly, no two carousels are alike.
Merry-go-round owners often name their horses to add personality to the horses and bring them to life. Undeniably, names like Galloper, Jumper, and Roundabout became favorites among riders. While horses dominate the carousel world, lions, tigers, and many other exotic animals fill the platforms, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MERRY GO ROUND DAY
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Find a local park, zoo, or amusement park with an operational carousel. Pick your favorite hand-carved animal—whether it’s a classic jumper horse, a lion, or a dragon—and enjoy the ride!
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Many historic carousels are preserved as cultural landmarks. Take a moment to read the plaque or ask the operator about the carousel’s origins, restoration history, or who carved the figures.
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Bring kids, grandkids, or younger siblings along to experience the nostalgia of calliope music and colorful, galloping horses for the first time.
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Many vintage carousels rely on non-profits or community donations to stay operational. Consider making a small donation to a organization like the National Carousel Association or a local preservation group.
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Snap a selfie on your ride or post a favorite throwback photo of a carousel ride from your childhood on social media using #MerryGoRoundDay.
NATIONAL MERRY GO ROUND DAY HISTORY
In 2014, Bette Largent, President of the National Carousel Association, and carousel historian, Ronald Hopkins, founded National Merry-Go-Round Day. They created the day to shine a spotlight on these beautiful, historical creations. The date commemorates the first U.S. patent issued in 1871 to William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa for the modern carousel.