The Flying Horses carousel in Oak Bluffs, a national landmark, opens for the season this weekend. It’s the oldest operating carousel in the country, running for 140 years now. As riders go around, they reach out to the ring dispensers and try their best to grab a ring; a brass ring means a free ride.
The carousel was built by Charles Dare in 1876, and originally delighted children and adults alike at Coney Island. The Flying Horses moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884, and was acquired by the Preservation Trust in 1986.
Robin Meader has run the carousel for 30 seasons, and said she’ll have the horses running April 15 through April 23, from 11 am to 4:30 pm.
“It’s the kids’ school vacation week, so we want to be open for that,” Ms. Meader said. “We’ll be open every weekend beginning April 24, and will add Friday and Saturday night around June 15, around the time kids get out of school for summer.”
Once summer gets into full swing, the Flying Horses will be open 10 am to 10 pm every day until Labor Day. For more information, call 508-693-9481.