Carousel Centennial Celebration Set for Tuesday Evening with Dedication

MEDIA ADVISORY

INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

September 9, 2024

Who: Little Rock Zoo Director Susan Altrui, Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. Vice Mayor Kathy Webb, Former Chair of Friends of the Carousel David Martinous and Ashely Sides with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

What: Celebration of the Over-the-Jumps, the Arkansas Carousel Centennial at the Little Rock Zoo with a special presentation and plaque dedication

Where: Civitan Amphitheater and the Over-the-Jumps Carousel

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Visuals: Renovation of carousel horses, centennial plaque placement

Background: The Arkansas Carousel, Over-the-Jumps, is the only fully operational carousel of its kind in the world. Constructed by the Spillman Engineering Company of North Tonawanda, New York, during the golden age of American carousels (1887-1935), the Over-the-Jumps Carousel first graced Arkansas at the 1924 Arkansas State Fair. It’s the last known “over the jumps” carousel in existence, with its unique undulating track that creates a mesmerizing ride experience—one of only four ever built. Unlike standard carousels, where horses are attached to poles that move vertically, the horses on this carousel move up and down with the track itself.

In 1942, Little Rock resident Tom Fuzzell saved the carousel from destruction by purchasing it. The carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. State Senator Mike Kinard, Governor Bill Clinton and the Friends of the Carousel raised the necessary funds to purchase and restore the attraction and after many years of dedicated efforts, the Friends of the Carousel donated the Over-the-Jumps Carousel to the Little Rock Zoo in October 2007, securing its place in Arkansas history.

Expert restorer Becky Witsell meticulously led the restoration of the carousel. A key partner in the ongoing preservation of this American treasure is the Little Rock Repair Shop, whose skilled artisans contribute to the maintenance and restoration efforts. To learn more about their crucial role in this project, explore their 2024 blog series on the restoration process here.