Pullen Park: A 100-year-old carnival
Magic and mystery, fantasy and reality, intertwine as the carousel goes round and round to the upbeat music. Natural poses are captured in the toss of a mane or a powerful gallop of the Philadelphia-style stallions.
Or take your choice to ride upon the back of the other flying creatures - cats, giraffes, lions, ostriches, pigs or rabbits. And even a barnyard goat.
They're all on the mystical carousel at Pullen Park.
"This is not just a stable of ponies the way some merry-go-rounds are," said Irene Hinton of Raleigh.
"Just take a good look at that cat with the fish in her mouth. My grandchildren love to ride on her back laughing the whole way through."
The smiles and laughter which carousels evoke is a centuries-old tradition. Although sometimes bittersweet, watching the magnificent machinery usually brings a rush of warm childhood memories.
Sometimes Mrs. Hinton brings her grandchildren to the park and sometimes she doesn't.
"I used to bring my own children here when they were little," she said. "Now, sometimes I come alone just so I can remember, you know. Have some quiet time while I sit out here and watch the merry-go-round."
It's during those times that Mrs. Hinton said she closes her eyes and looks deep back into her memory and reminisces of her children when they were youngsters twirling around on the carousel.
"Look at that chariot," she said. "When me and my husband were courting, we'd come out here to ride on that.
"He's dead and gone now but I come here almost every week and think about times like that. I sit on this bench and wait for it to start up and every time it does my heart gets happy.
"He loved that carousel."
The hand-carved/hand-painted carousel has 52 animals and two three-benched chariots embellished with landscape paintings. The antique carousel also features a Wurlitzer Model 125 Military Band Organ.
But, there's more to the carousel than meets the eye.
According to the National Carousel Association Census, the Pullen Park Gustave A. Dentzel menagerie carousel is one of 23 remaining historic Dentzel carousels and one of 14 Dentzel menageries still operating in Northern America.
It holds the distinction of being the longest residing carousel in North Carolina and achieved further fame in 1976 by being named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Its creation is conflicting. Some say it was built in 1900. Others say 1911.
When the old Bloomsbury Park in Raleigh closed, the city bought the carousel in 1921 and moved it to Pullen Park.
What's perhaps so astonishing is the carousel supposedly looks the same as it did nearly a century ago.
According to a staff member, during a major restoration that started in 1977 and continued for the next five or so years, workers cleaned each nook and cranny of the animals to expose the original paint. The colors were matched and the carousel repainted to restore it to its natural beauty.
Credit for conception of the park goes to Richard Stanhope Pullen.
Once an old cow pasture comprised of red and rocky land, Pullen donated the acreage to the City of Raleigh with the intention that it be used for recreation.
Through his visions, Pullen Park was conceived on March 22, 1887 and became the first public park in the state.
In 1888, Pullen hired Wiley A. Howell as a park keeper and the two of them worked closely together in developing the land. Sources say Pullen solely funded many of the buildings and projects.
In 1891, Pullen built Raleigh's first swimming pool. Located in the park, it was constructed of wood and designated exclusively for men.
During the years from 1899 until 1938, a small animal zoo was located at the park. The first miniature train was added around 1950.
Over a century later, visitors are still enchanted with Mr. Pullen's park. Many amenities have been added such as pedal boat rentals, picnic shelters and playgrounds.
Food is bountiful � visitors feast on goodies such as hot dogs, sausage dogs, nachos, fries, cotton candy and ice cream.
The park is located at 520 Ashe Avenue in Raleigh and is open year-round. The carousel and other park rides operate from mid-March through late November. Admission to the park is free, however, there is a small fee for amusement rides.
Even now with the coming of fall, on warm sunny days parents and caregivers take their little ones to the park in hopes of creating memories as their parents and their parents before them have done.
And then there are some like Mrs. Hinton, who go to Pullen Park to relive old memories, old dreams of long ago.
So they sit. And wait. And watch the merry-go-round.