‘Special’ carousel begins latest whirl
Kids came in droves to giddyup at the Paragon Carousel that celebrated its 90th season going round and round to the notes of its Wurlitzer organ this weekend.
Jim Callahan, director of operations for the carousel, said the carousel at Paragon Park in Hull was a popular feature during one of its best opening weekends.
“It’s the busiest opening day we’ve ever had. And today was a fantastic day as well,” Callahan said yesterday. “It’s a real happy place. There is something about a child on a carousel with a big smile waving to their parents as they go around. It’s special.”
The nonagenarian carousel opened in 1928 along the shores of Nantasket Beach. It is one of fewer than 100 “grand carousels” remaining in the country, Callahan said.
The carousel is made up of 66 carved horses, two Roman chariots and also boasts 35 original paintings, 36 cherubs and 18 goddesses that hover above a Wurlitzer band organ that plays music. The horses on the carousel have been having their paint restored during a process that includes stripping off paint, identifying the original paint and mixing the paint in the same style, Callahan said.
Restoration of the carousel is paid for by money from the park’s creamery that opens in May or funds in which people can adopt a horse for one season — and name it — or have a lifetime adoption of a horse for $10,000, Callahan said.
He added that one of his favorite aspects of the job is hearing stories from grown-ups who tell him they rode the carousel as children and now are bringing their young kin to share the experience.
“Every horse gets plenty of rides . ... This is an icon for the community,” Callahan said.