MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Richland Carrousel Park reached a milestone on Black Friday. Twenty-four years after its first spin, the carrousel reached 4 million riders.
“We’ve been keeping track since day one,” said director Willie Hunn. The Richland Carrousel Park first opened for business in August 1991.
To celebrate, Hunn wanted to make the event special. The winner was promised a free, two hour pizza party in the carrousel with ice cream and room for 48 guests. The certificate also grants the winner 30 free rides on the carrousel.
The certificate is redeemable for one year.
Jasmine Byler, 8, was speechless — but the second grader’s facial expression lit up when ice cream was mentioned.
Her aunt, Alyssa Erich, brought her children, Jasmine’s cousins, to the carrousel for something fun to do for the day after Thanksgiving. Erich was not aware of the carrousel’s 4 million riders milestone.
“Her (Jasmine’s) mom is going to be so tickled,” said Erich after learning her niece was the 4 millionth rider.
Hunn, explained that since her time as director, she and the board wanted to make the carrousel attraction in downtown Mansfield more community-friendly. Hunn previously worked as an employee for the carrousel.
“Our goal has been to make it a community carrousel and do more for children,” said Hunn after awarding Jasmine the certificate. “We figured this would be a good thing to get more people involved in.”
Hunn said the pizza will be donated by Two Cousins Pizza.
“It’ll just be a fun thing to do,” said Hunn, smiling.
Hunn said she and co-director Sharon Bishop are always thinking, ‘what’s next?’
“We want this place to be a community center for families and children. That’s why we’re always doing something,” said Hunn.
She mentioned the carrousel’s recent Mansfield Children Festival, which gathered over 2000 riders, she said. Through the holiday season, she said the carrousel will feature Christmas decorations and bedtime stories by Santa.
For more information, visit their website or call 419-522-4223.
