National Merry Go Round Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Merry Go Rounds

How could we not enjoy National Merry Go Round Day when we admire fairs, carnivals, and amusement rides? This day is observed annually on July 25 and highlights the amusement attraction known as a merry-go-round or carousel. These circular attractions, a staple of amusement parks, continue to enjoy widespread popularity in the United States and around the world.

The background of National Merry Go Round Day

Carousels or merry-go-rounds are one of the oldest amusement park attractions still in use worldwide. These miniature vehicles have existed for a very long time. During the Middle Ages, European Crusaders adopted a foreign custom known as ‘little war’ and returned home after battle. In a structure known as the ‘carosella,’ riders wielded lances and attempted to pierce a ring suspended from a tree branch. The French term for this form of competition was ‘carrousel.’ This literally translates to “a tilting match.” Knights reclined on wooden planks suspended from a central post in a circular formation and attempted to thrust their lances through a suspended ring; the game was used to train knights during the Middle Ages.

By the sixteenth century, French innovation had supplanted wooden boards with chain-suspended carved horses. People, primarily noblemen, who were trained in this manner would sit on the horses, simulating horseback riding without endangering actual horses.

Not until the 17th century did carousels become a form of entertainment. As its popularity increased, its dimensions diminished. Some played music as the centre rotated, while others were propelled by animals or humans. The use of artistic elements in the design of merry-go-rounds gained popularity. German wagon-maker Michael Dentzel sculpted intricate animal figures for carousels.

The carousel arrived in the United States during the same time period as massive immigration to the country. Despite the fact that merry-go-rounds had been present in the country for a long time prior to this, they were patented and the industry took off. During the Industrial Revolution, carousels were mass-produced and rapidly spread across the country. Another advantage of this revolution was the increase in leisure time, which allowed people to unwind and enjoy a carousel ride.

Steam-power In the 19th century, electricity completely replaced animal power, making merry-go-rounds larger and heavier and generating the first versions of the current round carousel design. Funfairs made it possible for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to appreciate these rides. During this time, the traditional characters were supplanted by popular cartoon characters. All successful films, cartoons, and comics made their way to the fairgrounds.

By the next century, numerous industries were producing carousels for amusement parks. The Great Depression did drive many out of business, with the exception of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. If an amusement park ordered a roller coaster, the manufacturer would frequently include a merry-go-round at no additional cost. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, all resources were allocated to war efforts, leaving the carousel abandoned. As the economy improved and synthetic materials were incorporated into their construction, they regained their previous prominence.

National Carousel Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to maintaining carousels and preserving their history in the United States. They even conduct a census to monitor the history of all carousels in the United States. National Merry Go Round Day was established by the association’s president, Bette Largent, and carousel historian Ronald Hopkins to draw attention to the historic carousels that continue to bring people pleasure. They chose the 25th of July because it coincides with the day William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa received the first U.S. patent for the modern carousel.

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5 FUN FACTS ABOUT MERRY GO ROUNDS

There are at least ten tracks titled “Merry-Go-Round”; ABBA, Motley Crüe, The Replacements, and even Fleetwood Mac have songs about this amusement park ride.

In Europe, merry-go-rounds rotate in a clockwise orientation, whereas in North America, they rotate anticlockwise.

Charles Lindbergh rode a Coney Island carousel to unwind before he became the first person to traverse the Atlantic Ocean in an aeroplane, shattering previous records in the process.

In the early nineteenth century, carousels were advertised as ‘physician-recommended’ blood circulation aides.

In the early days, mane and/or tail hair from actual horses were used to create carousel horses.

NATIONAL MERRY GO ROUND DAY DATES