Woodland Park Zoo Press Release

What:
The National Carousel Association’s (NCA) annual convention takes place in Seattle this weekend. More than 130 NCA members will visit Woodland Park Zoo’s historic carousel to ride and take part in a ceremony to dedicate a plaque to the zoo. Media are invited to the dedication ceremony featuring NCA President Betty Largent presenting a plaque to Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. Other speakers will include Linda and Tom Allen who donated the carousel to the zoo and the granddaughter of John Zalar, the master craftsman who originally carved the horses.

Photo: Ryan Hawk

Also check out a new carousel bear installed in front of the David L. Towne Carousel Pavilion. The carousel bear is a thank you from the zoo to Brown Bear Car Wash and the Odermat Family for their leadership gift that made the David L. Towne Carousel Pavilion possible. Some historic carousels included animals other than horses. The hand-carved wood bear is similar to figures created during the golden age of carousels, 1900 to 1925.

When:
Saturday, September 15, 11:30 a.m.

Info:
The magical and playful creatures on the carousel are one-of-a-kind…and are sure to bring out the inner child in everyone. PTC #45 was the 45th carousel constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, starting service for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. Famous for its dedication to engineering masterworks and exquisitely carved horses ? most hand-carved by master craftsman John Zalar ? the Philadelphia Toboggan Company produced some of the most beautiful carousels ever constructed.

In December 2000, Woodland Park Zoo was incredibly fortunate to receive this rare and magnificent carousel as a gift from Linda and Tom Allen of the Alleniana Foundation. Their goal in making this gift was to give generations of carousel riders the opportunity to experience a celebrated piece of American history, provide support for the zoo’s education and animal care programs through ticket sales, and offer the zoo’s families another way to have year-round fun while visiting the zoo.

The purpose of the NCA is to promote conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the art of the classic wooden carousel and especially the preservation of complete wooden carousels. The annual convention is a place where people can go to have fun, be educated about carousels, and behave like a kid without feeling out of place. Convention-goers ride carousels in the host city and surrounding areas and have the opportunity to learn more about their favorite hobby.

Carousel rides are $2 in addition to zoo admission. Zoo and carousel hours are: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily October 1 through April 30, and 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily May 1 through September 30. For more information about the carousel, check out Woodland Park Zoo’s Web site at www.zoo.org. For general zoo information, log on the zoo’s website or call 206.684.4800.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.