Local News

Carol Ann's Carousel almost ready to open

91.7 WVXU | By Tana Weingartner

Published April 28, 2015 at 10:03 AM EDT

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Each of the 44 wooden figures were hand carved and painted.

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Carousel Works Vice President Daniel Jones says, "Carol Ann's is one of our fancier carousels, putting it mildly. It's going to be really nice."

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

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The carousel itself costs about $1 million. The building containing is about $4.5 million. The project is being privately funded.

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

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Local artist Jonathan Queen painted the Cincinnati scenes on the carousel's facade.

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

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The carousel is named for Carol Ann Haile, who, along with her husband created the The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.

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The carousel was built by Carousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. Vice President Daniel Jones says the carousel took about a year to make.

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

All the wooden characters are in place. They bob evenly, up and down, as the carousel spins. It won't be long until children's voices will bounce off the glass walls surrounding Carol Ann's Carousel at Smale Riverfront Park.

Installation is complete and crews are finishing the carousel building and surrounding grounds. A ribbon cutting is set for May 16.

Admission will be $2.00 per ride. Ridership cards, good for 100 rides, will be sold for $150.

Hours will be:

Peak Season: Reds Opening Day to Labor Day Tues-Sun - 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Off Peak Season: Day after Labor Day to New Year's Eve Wed-Sun - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Winter: January 1 to day before Reds Opening Day Thurs-Sun: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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