Lakeside Park Carousel reopened on the Sept. 14 -15 weekend
The Carousel
Step back in time and take your family to the Lakeside Park Carousel. With 68 animals to choose from, the carousel can bring out the child in all of us. The historic carousel, a Charles I.D. Looff original, was hand carved from 1898 to 1905 and is beloved by all who visit.
Hours of Operation
- Weekends and holidays, May 18 to July 1: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Daily, July 1 to Sept. 2: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Weekends, Sept. 7 until Oct. 14: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours of operation may be subject to change without notice.
Getting here
The Lakeside Park Carousel is located at 1 Lakeport Rd. in historic Port Dalhousie. There is a large public parking lot located near the Carousel. Seasonal paid parking is in effect at the Lakeside Park lot from June to October.
Fees
The Carousel is still 5 cents a ride or admission by donation.
Photography and rentals
Are you looking for a unique backdrop for your wedding, engagement or maternity photos? The Lakeside Park Carousel is available for photography rentals as well as private rentals. Learn more about the rental fees and how to book the Carousel.
Sponsorship opportunities
Your business or organization can sponsor an afternoon of rides at the Lakeside Park Carousel through our Carousel Courtesy Ride Program. This is a great way to gain exposure for your business or organization. Please complete the Facility Rental Request form to apply. It costs $159.80 per hour to sponsor a ride.
Share your memories
We are collecting memories of the Lakeside Park Carousel through our social media channels. If you have a memory to share, please post on social media and use the following hashtag - #OurHomeSTC.
Amenities
Located in historic Port Dalhousie, there are a variety of amenities nearby:
- Gift Shop
- Parking
- Washrooms
- Park
- Shops and restaurants
History of the Lakeside Carousel
The Lakeside Carousel is a Charles I.D. Looff original, carved between 1898 and 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. The beautifully restored animals were carved by Looff's factory workers, including Marcus Charles Illions, who went on to become a famous carousel-maker in his own right. Relocated in 1921, the carousel came to St. Catharines from its earlier home at an amusement park in Scarborough, now part of the City of Toronto. It was purchased for the amusement park flourishing in Port Dalhousie, which had 58 attractions. In those days, more than a quarter million people annually crossed the lake in steamships to visit Port Dalhousie on weekends.
The carousel has 68 animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats and giraffes, plus four chariots. The accompanying music is played by an antique Frati band organ which uses a system of paper music rolls to serenade riders. Each animal was hand carved, and the horses still have real horsehair tails. The carousel animals have all been carefully restored by the Friends of the Carousel, who continue with annual maintenance and repair work to keep the carousel in sound working order.
The Lakeside Park Carousel is one of approximately 350 antique hand-carved carousels still operating in North America - only nine of which are in Canada. The original Looff lion on the Lakeside Park Carousel is one of five existing Looff lions in North America and it is the only one that has its head turned to watch onlookers as it circles by. The second lion on the Carousel was carved in 2004 by the Friends of the Carousel to replace the original lion that was stolen in the 1970s.