HELENA – After 17 years, Helena’s Great Northern Carousel needed some renovations.
The carousel is being renovated because owners Allen and Nancy Mickelson decided it was time for a change.
The carousel originally opened in 2002. Repairs began on January 1.
Admissions will still be $2 and now parents will ride for free with a child supervised under the age of four.
Business operations manager Trish Thompson has lived in Helena her entire life and was surprised how much she didn’t know about the carousel.
“But my favorite part I found out was that all of the animals here were done by the same gentleman who did the carvings for Disney World and then they are all hand painted,” she said. “There’s a local artist who did all the glass along the top here so a lot of intricate details go into it.”
Thompson continued, “I think we are trying to keep it all a surprise, so when people walk in, they are excited as I am. Every time I come in here, it looks totally different, so, we are very excited.”
The Great Northern Carousel will officially unveil its changes and reopen doors on Saturday, May 25.
-Reported by Christine Sullivan/MTN News
