Frying Pan Farm Park to Unveil Antique Carousel

The Frying Pan Farm Park is unveiling a new attraction at the park on Sunday, May 15—an antique carousel.

In addition to the barns, animals, playground and country store, the Allan Herschell carousel will be a treat for families that visit. The carousel was built during the Depression Era and the horses were carved and painted by hand.

The public is invited to a short ribbon cutting ceremony at noon, which will be followed by an ice cream social. The 20-horse, antique carousel was built in 1918 and has been located at Lee District Park since 1975.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has three carousels that are similar at other parks, and has a fully-accessible carousel at Clemyjontri Park in McLean.

The Herschell company, which created the carousels, began in 1915 in a town just outside Buffalo, New York and manufactured portable machines used mostly by traveling carnival operators. The company specialized in creating carnival rides, primarily carousels.

Carousel rides at Frying Pan Farm Park will be free from noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday, with a short break in operations during the opening ceremonies. The ice cream social is also free, on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about the event, call 703-324-8662. For more information about Frying Pan Farm Park, call 703-437-9101. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Rd. in Herndon.