Carousel Operation and
Riding Practices
- Number One: USE COMMON SENSE AND BE SAFE.
- RIDERS ONLY IN AREA OF OPERATION, NO NON-RIDERS INSIDE EXCEPT OPERATOR.
- ONE PERSON PER ANIMAL OR SWING SEAT, MUST BE SITTING DOWN FACING FORWARD.
- BALANCE RIDER WEIGHT ACROSS RIDE WHEN LOADING.
- RETURN ALL RINGS TO OPERATOR.
- HAVE FUN.
- ;-)
A Brief
History of the Carousel Ring Catching Game
Some people may remember the days when many carousels had ring catching
games, a place“to catch the brass ring", sort of like catching your
lucky star. There remain a few carousels that have retained or restored
their ring games (list at end).
The carousel ring game, catching the ring then throwing it into a
target while riding, is actually a very old and traditional part of the
carousel ride. In some ways the ring game represents the actual origins
of the carousel itself. Early“flying horses”style of carousels,
sometimes with baskets or seats, were used over one thousand years ago
by the Turks for soldiers to ride while brandishing a sword and
practicing cavalry battles. The crusaders from Europe (1096-1271) saw
these devices and eventually made some of their own back in Europe.
These were also battle training devices held inside of castles for many
years until they were finally allowed out into the public for amusement
during the renaissance. Swords were too dangerous for amusement ride
goers so rings were used instead. From then on many carousels had ring
dispenser devices. In recent times many carousel owners have been
removing the ring machines or never even installing them, mainly
because the ring game is not well understood and the owners are
overwhelmed with the overall upkeep of a large antique ride.
Nevertheless, carousels with the ring game usually have a higher
ridership number than those without. The ring game draws in a wider
range of riders and also encourages more repeat riding. This will add
significantly to the carousel’s income.
Grabbing the ring is relatively easy and a good form of training for
eye-hand coordination. Experienced riders are able to grab two, three
or four rings at a pass. The next step is tossing your ring or rings
into the carousel ride’s target, oftentimes a clown face with holes in
it worth different amounts of points depending on its difficulty. The
target is the ride operators friend as it makes collecting the rings
much quicker. Then the ring dispenser must be refilled. This procedure
is refined and streamlined with the better model dispensers, they have
a funnel that guides bucket loads of the rings right into the dispenser
channel.
Some operators include a ring of a different color or made of brass so
that a rider can sometimes catch this ring, then another free ride is
given. All the rings belong to the carousel ride and must be returned
if not thrown into the target. Souvenir rings must be purchased at the
ride kiosk.
Basic Ring
Game Etiquette
- Rings cannot be grabbed until you have made one whole revolution of the ride (usually the operator will hold back the dispenser until the carousel is a full speed).
- You can try to grab more than one ring at a pass.
- When passing the target receptacle toss in the ring.
- Keep score of which points you got on tossing into the target.
- Rings cannot be removed from the carousel ride area.
- Rider who catches the last ring in the dispenser gets a free ride.
Note: When operating my 15 rider“flying horses”carousel we always
have a ring game going. After the ride all the riders must stay in the
ride area until all the rings are collected and reloaded back into the
ring dispenser. We sell rings attached to a souvenir card for those who
must take one home, usually the very young riders or the very old
family members need a personal good luck ring, I know I sure do!
Classic
Carousels with Ring Catching Games:
- Looff 1909 Carousel in Riverfront Park, Spokane, Washington, National Historic Site
- Dentzel 1900 Carousel in Weona Park, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, National Historic Site
- Looff 1911 Carousel on Boardwalk Park, Santa Cruz, California, National Historic Landmark
- Dentzel 1902 Carousel in Riverside Park, Logansport, Indiana, National Historic Landmark
- Dentzel 2018 Historic Carousel, Carousel Museum, Albany, Oregon
- Dare 1876 Carousel, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, National Historic Landmark
- Dare 1884 Carousel, Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, National Historic Site
- Herschell-Spillman 1910 Carousel in Balboa Park, San Diego, California
- PTC #75 1926 Carousel Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, Ocean City, New Jersey
- Herschell-Spillman 1920 Carousel in Mitchell Park, Greenport, New York
- Kemers/Carmel 1913 Carousel in Knoebles Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- Looff 1895 Carousel in Crescent Park, Riverside, Rhode Island
If you're unable to ride a carousel with a ring catcher at the moment,
fake it. Form a circle with your group and quickly skip around as if
you're riding a carousel animal and grab for a ring or something
similar, use a cardboard box for a target receptacle. As a fun craft
project colorful components to this game can be made. Ring catching
devises are available but hard to find.
WATCH THESE YOUTUBE VIDEOS BELOW TO SEE HOW IT'S DONE
Ring Toss Game: https://youtu.be/WZ-MSoIdlgM
Flying Horses Carousel and the Ring Toss Game: https://youtu.be/JC0HMZg30y4
Girls Loading Ring Catcher: https://youtu.be/OY1onHboCKM?list=PLt2zGJkVJrG0buJGQuoDYaqYGyEqBhCpC