Woodland Park Zoo Carousel Celebrates 100th Birthday

From Woodland Park Zoo: WHAT: This summer, Woodland Park Zoo will celebrate a very special birthday: Its Historic Carousel, which has been at the zoo since 2006, turns 100! The zoo will commemorate this centennial with a celebration on Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m., during Woodland Park Zoo’s Evening Zoo event, which features ambassador animal presentations and animal keeper talks. The celebration will take place on the North Meadow and will include a short program including a relighting of the carousel, guest speakers to talk about the carousel's history, a complimentary dessert for the first 500 guests and "carouselfie" opportunities with a carousel horse. Free rides on the carousel will be offered throughout the evening starting at 6:30. Guests are encouraged to tag pics with #WPZcarousel100 and #woodlandparkzoo to share their memories and celebrate the 100th birthday of the carousel!

The Historic Carousel was purchased and generously donated to the zoo by Linda and Tom Allen and the Alleniana Foundation and opened in 2006 at the zoo. Their gift offers zoo-goers the means to experience a celebrated piece of American history and provides support for the zoo's quality animal care and education programs. The carousel, which was first constructed in 1918 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and was the 45th of its kind, had previously operated at the Cincinnati Zoo and the Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara, Calif. Woodland Park Zoo has provided around 7,500 free carousel rides per year to ensure that the carousel remains available to all.

In addition, the zoo partners with 600+ human service organizations across Puget Sound to offer hundreds of thousands of complimentary zoo passes through its Community Access Program. Starting this year, a free carousel ride is included with every Community Access Program admission ticket. To further promote accessibility, the zoo has created the Carousel Centennial Access Endowment Fund to help ensure that the zoo’s extraordinary experiences remain affordable and inclusive for all children in the zoo’s shared community for centuries to come. The Historic Carousel features hand-carved horses and two chariots. In 2011, solar panels were installed on the carousel’s roof to produce the 9,000 annual kilowatt-hours required to power the carousel. The carousel completes an average of 100,000 rides per year for zoo guests of all ages.

WHEN:

Thursday, June 28, Historic Carousel Celebration and Evening Zoo, until 8:30 p.m.Remarks by Linda and Tom Allen and relighting of the carousel: 6:30 p.m.Free carousel rides: 6:30–8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Woodland Park Zoo: Enter through West Entrance at Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th & N. 56th Sts. or South Entrance at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. The Historic Carousel is located in the North Meadow.

INFO: Summer zoo hours through September 30: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.daily. Evening Zoo: after hours until 8:30 p.m. Admission through September 30: Adult (13-64) $20.95; Child (3-12) $12.95; Toddler (0-2) Free. Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military and their families, seniors and people with physical disabilities receive an admission discount. Zoo members receive free zoo admission year round. Parking: $6 plus applicable state and local taxes.

Parking is limited. Consider taking the bus, biking, walking or carpooling. Conserving resources is one more way to help animals. The zoo offers a $2 discount to anyone who rides the bus to the zoo. Must show proof—bus transfer or ORCA card—at ticket window. For bus service to the zoo, visit www.metro.kingcounty.gov.

Online ticketing: Avoid lines and get your tickets in advance at www.zoo.org/visit. Discounts and coupons are not applicable for online ticket purchases. Quarters for Conservation: A portion of your zoo admission and membership is dedicated to funding conservation programs in the wild. Cast your vote for your favorite conservation project at the Quarters for Conservation kiosks located at each entrance. Mobile app: Download the free Woodland Park Zoo mobile app for iPhone, iPad or Android from your app store. Use it to track your location on zoo grounds with GPS, discover more about animals and daily zoo activities, and share the highlights of your visit with friends.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the zoo for zoo guests, made possible through products donated by Cisco. Gifts/food: Explore the ZooStores for extraordinary gifts and zoo souvenirs. Stop by the Rain Forest Food Pavilion or other concessionaire locations to quench your thirst or appetite. On your way out of the zoo for the evening, consider visiting one of many dining options in the neighborhood. For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500.

Founded in 1899, Woodland Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and certified by the rigorous American Humane Conservation program. The Humane Certified™ seal of approval is another important validation of the zoo’s long-standing tradition of meeting the highest standards in animal welfare. Woodland Park Zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats through more than 35 field projects in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Each year, the zoo engages more than a million visitors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and walks of life in extraordinary experiences with animals, inspiring them to make conservation a priority in their lives and a difference in our planet’s future ecological health and sustainability. Visit www.zoo.org and follow the zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo (Celebrate the 100th birthday of Woodland Park Zoo's Historic Carousel on June 28. Guests can ride the carousel for free 6:30-8:30 p.m.Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)