Flying Horses Carousel

:"For the carousel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, see The Flying Horse Carousel."

Infobox_nrhp | name =Flying Horses
nrhp_type =nhl


caption = The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest operating platform carousel in America.
location= Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 27
lat_seconds = 26
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 70
long_minutes = 33
long_seconds = 28
long_direction = W
locmapin = Massachusetts
area =
built =1884
architect= Charles W.F Dare Co.
designated= February 27 1987
added = August 27, 1979
governing_body = Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust
refnum=79000342cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest operating platform carousel in America. This carousel, one of two similar carousels built by the Charles W. Dare Company, was built in 1876 and was brought to Oak Bluffs in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts in 1884 where, to date, it remains in operation. Flying Horses Carousel was obtained by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust in 1986. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Operation

The Carousel is in operation from Easter Sunday to Columbus day, though the schedule will sometimes vary. As of 2008, rides are $1.50 each, and you can buy a ticket of 8 rides for $10. If you get the brass ring (see below), you get a free ride.

The brass ring game

Riders of the Flying Horses Carousel can choose to sit on the inside or outside of the carousel. On both sides, there is a metal casing from which riders can grab small metal rings. As the carousel goes around, riders try to grab as many rings as they can with one hand; some people can grab only one at a time, but skilled riders can grab one or more on each finger. Riders then place the rings on a metal rod on top of their horse and attempt to grab more. When the ride is almost over, it is announced that a brass ring will be placed into the casings (one brass ring on each side of the carousel). The person who gets the brass ring at the end of the ride gets to stay on for another free ride.

Popular Culture

The Dispatch song "Flying Horses" refers to the rings on the ride.

References

* [http://www.mvpreservation.org/carousel.html MV Preservation - The Flying Horses Carousel]