MANSFIELD ─ Sharon Bishop has been trying to send out a clear message: the Richland Carrousel Park is open.
The Carrousel’s director said there is a rumor recently about the organization is closed due to a financial crisis, which is incorrect and potentially harmful for the business.
It was The Carousel Works, Inc., which made the 52 animals for the Carrousel, filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in early January and closed its operation in Mansfield.
The Carrousel Park has not only opened the door after a tough year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but will welcome its 30th anniversary at the end of August. Multiple events have been lined up for the next few months.
Bishop said the Wacky Wednesday, a weekly activity starting in 2019, is back. It starts at 11 a.m. and goes on until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays through August. Children will begin with story time and do yoga with a professional instructor. They can also get free rides and play different games, according to the director.
On June 20, Father’s Day, all fathers can get unlimited free rides and a box of popcorn at the Carrousel, Bishop said. The organization is going to participate in the Soapbox Derby in downtown Mansfield on June 26. Bishop said an 8-year-old girl will race the Carrousel’s soapbox car and the staff will be offering hot dogs and drinks.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary, the Carrousel is working with Richland Academy on organizing a series of events from Aug. 24 to 28. Bishop said free rides will be available for everyone on Aug. 28.
The beloved event “Touch-A-Truck” will return on Sept. 18. Walnut and Fourth Streets will be shut down for the showcase of all types of vehicles, according to Bishop.
There will be fire engines and different types of police cars, the director said, along with dump trucks.
The Richland Carrousel Park, opening on Aug. 30, 1991, and is the first new and hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the U.S. since the 1930s, according to its website.
Bishop said the Carrousel has seen many changes in downtown Mansfield.
“We’ve brought in some fabulous businesses from restaurants to hair salons,” the director said. “All of this started with the Carrousel coming downtown and changing the whole outlook of the city.”
The area evolves from a place “you wouldn’t let your children walk” to now “the beauty of it all,” Bishop said.
Just like many other businesses, the Carrousel suffered financially amid the pandemic. Bishop said it closed the door twice amid the pandemic and started reopening three days a week in February. Now, it opens six days a week.
With the COVID-19 health orders lifted, business is returning. Bishop said all the doors are open at the Carrousel, so people feel comfortable about being there. Several birthday parties have taken place at the facility.
As someone who has worked at the Carrousel for 15 years, Bishop said she does not think there is a better job anywhere. It is a place for people to have fun. While the pandemic made things tough, the director said the staff has kept a good attitude and wants to make things work.
Richland Carrousel Park opens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday. It closes on Mondays. More information can be found on its website.
