Islanders live in a seasonal cycle, a golden ring, if you will, that carries us from the extremes of summer frenzy to the extremes of winter isolation and back again.
Islanders live in a seasonal cycle, a golden ring, if you will, that carries us from the extremes of summer frenzy to the extremes of winter isolation and back again.
You could say we’re on a never-ending carousel. We whiz past summer. Then we turn off our outdoor showers, watch the storefronts close up, and sigh as the days get shorter and shorter. We sleep longer hours, stay indoors and hang up our tools. Then we approach spring, and wait for the ospreys to come back, for the pinkletinks to sing, and for opening day at the Flying Horses.
The iconic Oak Bluffs carousel begins its 135th Vineyard season on Saturday. Built in 1876, the ride arrived from Coney Island in 1884. It is the oldest continuously operating platform carousel in the country.
“I’ll see the kids in the winter and they ask me when I’m going to wake up the horses,” said carousel manager Robin Meader, who is beginning her 32nd season in the role. She grew up on the Island, and her favorite carousel horse’s name is Moshup.
“He’s gray now, but when I was growing up he was solid black. He’s the biggest one on the carousel and he is my favorite,” she said.
Come have some popcorn, ride on a historic wooden horse, and hear the 1923 Wurlitzer Band Organ play. Take a moment to think of all the summer seasons past and future as you reach for the lucky golden ring.
The carousel opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Rides are $3.50 a ticket. A 10-ride pass is $30. Children will be offered free peanut butter eggs.
Comments
Oh thank goodness for another
Durtea Sanchez West TisburyOh thank goodness for another season of the flying horses.The children so look forward to their historic rides and the chance to grab the brass ring.
Our boys still jump on when
Patrick Hurley Manchester, CTOur boys still jump on when we vacation on the island. They would never admit it but it is a highlight for them.
"THROW ALL YOUR RINGS IN THE
L van Leesten Arlington, VA & Oak Bluffs"THROW ALL YOUR RINGS IN THE RED BOX!" - I won't say how old I was when I stopped riding (stopped?!), but back then, I didn't know anyone with a nut allergy. It's probably too late to rethink the peanut butter lagniappes, but at least it is publicized here.
It never was the same after
David OBIt never was the same after Mr. Hastings left. (and get off my lawn!!)
The right of passage for kid
Bob Dumais Oak Bluffs / Naples FloridaThe right of passage for kid's growing up on the Island was working, without pay, putting the rings in the arm container for the kids to grab hopping for the GOLD.....! Great memories
During the campaign to raise
Jane Chittick EdgartownDuring the campaign to raise the funds to buy the Flying Horses Carousel, the lead horse (always the biggest) was "adopted" by the island's school children who raised an impressive amount of money for their horse. Its name was Pegasus and if it were changed over the years, it should be brought back to its original name. All the horses were named by donors and this was a permanent naming opportunity.
So pleased Robin Meader is back again: she was my best hire ever 33 years ago! And, still is! Ride on, horses! You're now in your 143rd year thanks to Charles W.F. Dare, master carousel carver!
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