LAKESIDE PARK CAROUSEL

Address

 Lakeside Park
1 Lakeport Road
St. Catharines, ON
L2N 5B3

Description

The smiles and laughter which the Lakeside Park Carousel inspire are a century-old tradition! For 5 cents a ride, you can experience the carousel's magic and its wonderful ability to bring out the child in all of us. The carousel is a timeless tradition connecting our past, present and future generations.

The Lakeside Carousel is a Charles I.D. Looff original, carved between 1898 and 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. The beautifully restored animals were carved by Loof's factory workers, including Marcus Charles Illions, who later went on to become a famed carousel-maker in his own right. Relocated in 1921, the carousel came to St. Catharines from its earlier home at an amusement park in Scarborough now part of the City of Toronto. It was purchased for the amusement park flourishing in Port Dalhousie, which had 58 attractions. In those days, more than a quarter million people crossed the lake in steamships to visit Port Dalhousie on weekends.

The carousel has 68 animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats and giraffes, and four chariots. The accompanying music is played by an antique Frati band organ which uses a system of paper music rolls to serenade riders. Each animal has been hand carved and the horses still have real horsehair tails. The carousel animals have all been carefully restored by the Friends of the Carousel, who continue with annual maintenance and repair work to keep the carousel in sound working order.

The Lakeside Park Carousel is one of approximately 350 antique hand carved carousels still operating in North America - only nine of which are in Canada - and is considered fairly unique in size. The original Looff lion on the Lakeside Park Carousel is one of five existing Looff lions in all of North America and it is the only one that has its head turned to watch onlookers as it circles by. The second lion on the Carousel was carved in 2004 by the Friends of the Carousel to replace the original lion that was stolen in the 70s.

The carousel continues to be beloved by all who come to visit it.

Hours of Operation

 Victoria Day Weekend to mid June.

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday	10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Victoria Day	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Mid June - Labour Day

Monday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday	10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Labour Day - Thanksgiving Weekend

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday	10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving	10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Functions

Wedding Photos

The Carousel is available to rent on an hourly basis for wedding photos. The rental charge is $110 per hour.

Birthday Parties

Carousel Birthday Bash
Spend your birthday at the carousel! Come enjoy 30 mins of private carousel rides with friends and family (maximum 50 people). The birthday child will receive a carousel poster and a t-shirt. The rental charge is $70.

The Ultimate Carousel Birthday
Come down to the Lakeside Park Carousel for the ultimate birthday party experience. The party includes inspired carousel crafts, games and carousel rides (maximum 25 people). The birthday child will receive a carousel poster and a t-shirt. Cost of party is $100.

Features

Gift Shop

Policies & Procedures

Click here to view policies and procedures for the Lakeside Park Carousel.

Diagrams & Images

Click here for diagrams and images of the Lakeside Park Carousel.