With bunnies, tigers and pigs galore, the historic Dentzel Menagerie Carousel and its 46 hand-carved animals was the focus of the 24th annual Burlington Carousel Festival. The festival, held Sept. 17 and 18 at Burlington City Park, offered food, art, music, rides and many other amusement attractions.
The carousel was built around 1910 by the Dentzel Carousel Company in Pennsylvania. It was purchased by the city of Burlington in 1948.
The construction of the carousel is different from most modern carousels. It is operated by an unusual clutch system, consisting of many different bearings and gears. The animals were hand-carved out of bass and poplar wood, with realistic features such as eyes made of glass and tails made of real horsehair.
The city holds the festival to celebrate the carousel, which is more than 100 years old, annually. The first celebration began in 1987 as an effort to increase awareness of the carousel.
"The festival started as a joint effort between community volunteers and the Recreation and Parks Department," said Lisa Wolff, assistant director of Burlington Recreation and Parks department. "Next year will mark the 25th festival and will create the platform for a large event."
The festival is divided into sections so attendees can easily get a taste of everything. The aroma of fried food wafted throughout the park from vendors offering typical fair food of corn dogs, blooming onions, french fries, kettle corn and funnel cakes. In the children's area, families could enjoy free rides on the carousel, a train that traveled around the park and the other amusement rides the park offers year-round.
"The biggest attraction is the carousel, but the other attraction is that everything is free with the exception of the food and art exhibitors," Wolff said.
Artist's Alley was where vendors could show off their crafts and festival goers could purchase everything from antiques to tutus to birdhouses. There were two stages with live music where bands like Holy Ghost Tent Revival and River City Gang played. Since the festival offered such a wide variety of activities, it was enjoyed by people of all ages, from small children to college students to adults.
"The public response to the festival has always been positive," Wolff said. "It is one of the last large outdoor festivals located here in Alamance County and draws crowds from near and far."