[playful music] ♪ [playful music continues] Right now, I'm here with Sean Echeverria with Burlington Recreation and Parks.

What a beautiful carousel we have back here.

Tell me all about it.

- Absolutely, it really is beautiful.

So, right here behind me, we have the newly-renovated Dentzel Carousel.

This carousel here, it's got a ton of history with the city of Burlington.

It was built around 1910 up in Philadelphia and it was sold to a city in Ohio and we purchased it from them in 1948.

- Wow, that's really old.

- Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

So, we're coming up on around 113 years old, I believe.

- Sean, tell me a little bit about the construction of these horses and the animals on the carousel.

- Yeah, absolutely.

So all of the horses and other animals are made out of handcrafted wood.

So, they were all blocks of wood that were carved down to the beautiful shapes that you see before us.

And during their most recent renovation that was approved in 2018, they totally got them down to the bare wood and redid them through and through.

- [Deborah] So bright and pretty.

- [Sean] They went even as far as all of the horse tails, those are actually real horse tails.

And the reindeer that is going around, those are actually real antlers as well.

- [Deborah] Amazing that something like a carousel is just so timeless.

- Absolutely, folks here in Burlington really do love it.

And I think the main reason for that is it really is a a staple of Burlington and it's been here for generations.

I mean, we have folks that their parents rode on it, their grandparents rode on it and now they're able to bring their children and their grandchildren on it.

So, I think that it's got some serious deep ties to the community.

- [Deborah] Well, tell us also about accessibility.

- Yeah, absolutely.

When we went over and they redid the restoration, something that they added was a wheelchair ramp.

It's on the far side of where we are now, but there's actually, a gate that drops down and folks will be able to wheel up on their wheelchairs and they'll be able to right behind me here, they'll be able to go on this chariot and they'll actually be able to strap in safely so it'll be safe and secure and they'll be able to go around and enjoy the ride just like everyone else.

- [Deborah] Such thoughtful construction.

I love it.

Now, tell us about the festival.

[Sean laughing] - Yeah, we're so excited to bring the Carousel Festival back to Burlington.

The festival will be taking place this year May 6th and 7th.

That's something new for the folks that have been coming to the Carousel Festival for quite some time.

They're used to it being the third weekend in September, but we're trying it new and we're gonna roll with it for the first full weekend in May from here on out.

So again, that's May 6th and 7th.

The park is gonna be loaded down with so much fun for the families.

We're gonna have tons of musical acts.

We'll have two stages going.

- [Deborah] It is gonna be a big time.

- Absolutely, and another thing that I do wanna mention, the festival brings in over 60 different artisan vendors that will be coming from across the state and region.

And it's the perfect time, it's right before Mother's Day, so people can come get those last minute gifts.

All of the rides, including the carousel, will be free so you can ride it free of charge as well as all of the other amusement park rides.

- Well, Sean, thank you so much for having us.

This really inspires the childlike wonder in all of us.

- Absolutely, Deb, we're happy to have you and we hope to see you at the festival.

- The Dentzel Carousel is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Burlington City Park, and for special occasions.

The park is on South Church Street in Burlington.

And don't forget the Burlington Carousel Festival held at the park on May 6th and 7th.

To find out more, go to visit alamance.com.