Jane’s Carousel Captivates The Crowds
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Christmas is one of the best holidays for children to inspire us with their innocence , excitement, merriment and so much goodness. In a world where bitterness is becoming more the norm than the exception and peace and friendship seem to fade into the distance, it is a relief to know that a world of fun and fantasy really do still exist.
One of the best places in the world to experience the enchantment is at Jane’s Carousel. The Carousel is located in the DUMBO section of The Brooklyn Bridge Park, on the East River, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The Carousel is easily accessed from Park entrances at Dock Street or Main Street. It surrounds us with festive lights, holiday spirit and the tradition of the holidays, but all year round.
Jane’s Carousel is an attraction to lose yourself in childhood dreams. Visitors come from all over the city, nation and world, to wash away their cares, if even just for a brief spot in time. In the 3 years since it opened, the Carousel has attracted over 1,000,000 people, both young and old, for a miraculous ride where the madness of the present is forgotten by the past.
Bright shiny golden horses carry you around and around as the view envelopes you with beauty. This attraction has gained such popularity, that it has received Trip Advisor’s recognition as “NY State’s Top Family Attraction Worth Traveling For” to the “Best Place in NYC for a First Date“. Heinemann, the scholastic book group, published a wonderful story of Jane’s Carousel with lovely drawings and photos, for national use as an elementary school reader. In 2014, the Carousel welcomed more than 200 children’s Birthday Parties and hosted many fun and glamorous grown up celebrations. The Carousel continues to be an enormously popular venue for all things romantic: weddings, engagement and anniversary parties and even pre-arranged marriage proposal rides.
Social media has managed to highlight Jane’s Carousel as more than just your ordinary merry-go-round. “The Big Egg Hunt” chose the Carousel as the venue to hunt for those big beautiful easter eggs. It is the exceptional answer to be shown in many creative advertising campaigns, to be used as the backdrop for a musical number in the hit TV series ‘GLEE’ and it is part of a scene in an upcoming movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.
The generosity and goodness of those behind the scenes at Jane’s Carousel is evidenced by donations of Carousel tickets to local schools and organizations for special fundraising needs and events. The Carousel has entertained hundreds of school children from more than 25 schools and offered them affordable, discounted rides.
What a beautiful way to spend some holiday time, taking us back to carefree childhood days and giving our tots a reason to smile and laugh as they ride their horse around and around.
Merry Christmas! Ho, ho, ho!
Photo Courtesy of Jane’s Carousel
