THE BRASS RING!

 

   THURSDAY, JULY 25TH., 2024
        THE BRASS RING!

    I'm not suggesting you place a bet
at the track today. I'd just like you to
get a ticket for the Merry Go Round!
    July 25th is "Merry Go Round" or
"Carousel Day!" A good day to take
a spin on your favorite Merry Go
Round horse!
     This particular amusement ride
actually has its roots in Europe and
the Middle East when knights played
a game while riding their horses in a
circle. At one point they tried to spear
small rings hanging from poles to
demonstrate their skill, That's where
the idea of grabbing the brass ring
while riding the Merry Go Round
comes from.
       The terms Merry Go Round and
Carousel are actually interchangeable.
Carousel, however, is often associated
with those in England where they turn
in a clockwise direction. Merry Go
Rounds here and in mainland Europe
turn counter clockwise.
      Whichever way they're spinning
 I've always preferred the circular
ride on a merry go round to the sudden
drops offered on a Roller Coaster.
        And there are plenty around.
The carousel at Knoebels was built in
1912. The same year the Titanic sunk.
They've got a smaller one there too and
that's got some history too.
          There's even a Carousel Museum
there featuring horses from area
Amusement Parks that are now just
memories.
           Head to our neighboring
Binghamton, New York and you'll find
six Merry Go Rounds that were donated
to the city by George Johnson, owner of
the Endicott Shoe Company. 5 of them
operate free of charge throughout the
summer. The 6th, in Ross Park, requires
riders to donate a piece of litter which,
in turn, keeps the park clean!
            Great day to ride my friends!
            Hope you catch the brass ring
and that all your NEWS is good!