MANSFIELD — It’s been quite the wait, but the bronze horse at Richland Carrousel Park has returned, looking “good as new,” according to co-director Sharon Bishop.
While taking the Christmas decorations down in January, one of the two bronze horses mounted outside the carrousel fell accidently, causing damage to the horse, the limestone platform and brickwork, Bishop said.
Todd Goings of Carousels and Carvings in Marion repaired the horse.
“Everything had to be just right–the brick had to be just right, the limestone had to be cut to match the limestone on the other side, and then of course the bronze horse, which is the pinnacle of it all,” Bishop said.
Construction workers with Purdy Construction Company weathered the rain on Thursday while replacing the horse at the carrousel.
“We’re very excited to have it back,” Bishop said. “It’s good as new.”
And just in time for the many events slated for the coming months.
“We have so much going on this summer,” Bishop said.
The First Friday Family Fun Night will be held Friday, May 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Children can ride five rides for $2.
Later this summer will be an anniversary celebration to commemorate the carrousel’s first 25 years and the impact that it has had on the community. That event will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At this anniversary celebration, the carrousel will unveil a new horse carved by Goings. This is the first new figure to be added to the carrousel since it opened in August of 1991.
“It is really outstanding,” Bishop commented. “It’s hand-carved and hand-painted.”
