The historic Dentzel carousel at Ontario Beach Park is open for business again...and it's offering free rides through Columbus Day.
Monroe County officials promised the carousel would be open by Labor Day after sitting out the summer for major repairs. They managed to pull it off, and will extend the season into October to make up for the shutdown.
“We are so very happy to have the carousel repaired and back up-and-running,” said County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.
A new thrust bearing for the 113-year-old carousel had to be forged and fitted, which meant finding someone who could duplicate the original part. It caused the first long-term shutdown of the carousel since it was installed in 1905.
The work was done by Carousels and Carvings of Marion, Ohio. They finished the job last week, and the carousel passed its state inspection yesterday.
It will be open now on weekends through the Columbus Day Weekend.
Photo provided by the Monroe County Executive's Office