Pullen Park celebrates 100th anniversary of antique Dentzel carousel
The century-old carousel at Pullen Park is a rare piece of Raleigh history, allowing today's children to ride the same attraction their great-grandparents once loved.
On Sunday, Pullen Park is kicking off the 100th anniversary of hosting their treasured antique carousel.
Pullen Park, over 130 years old, was the first public park in the state – and it's the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the country.
While Sunday is the first day of the centennial celebration, Pullen Park is devoting the entire month of April to celebrating the carousel's history. They have an event line-up on their website, detailing special events happening each day.
The range of events cover everything from painting classes at the carousel to historic tours of the park.
Adopt your favorite carousel animal
For everyone who has a tried-and-true favorite carousel animal, they're also offering a rare opportunity to "adopt" one of the carousel animals.
Guests can enter a drawing for a chance to name and 'adopt' an animal on the carousel – for a period of time.
"Winners selected each week will be presented with a certificate of adoption and have an opportunity to take a family photo with that animal," according to the website.
Help design a future animal for the carousel
Pullen Park is looking to add a new animal to the carousel.
"Submit your animal design so that we can consider it as we look into purchasing our next animal for the menagerie," says the website.
Pullen Park asks all physical drawings be brought to the welcome center, and digital artwork can be sent to Allora.Spruill@Raleighnc.gov.
Drawings will not be returned, but might be displayed at future Pullen Park events.
Then and now: Pullen Park carousel
Historic photos from Bloomsbury Park give an idea of how the carousel appeared around 100 years ago, compared with how it appears today.
While the carousel got its start at Bloomsbury Park, it actually dates back even further – making it not just the only remaining piece of Bloomsbury, but one of the only remaining carousels of its type in the world.
Want to see an in-depth look at the history of the carousel and other rides at Pullen Park?
