The Friends of the Carousel is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the restoration of the historic Lakeside Park Carousel in Port Dalhousie for the City of St. Catharines.
Get involved
Please contact us if you'd like to get involved with the Friends of the Carousel. We are looking for volunteers to assist with:
- Restoration
- Painting
- Fundraising and special event organization
Schedule
The restoration season runs each year from October to April. We meet at the following times:
- Restorers meet on Thursday and Saturday mornings
- Painters meet on Tuesday mornings
- Monthly volunteer meetings are on the second-last Thursday of each month
About us
Starting in 2000, the Friends of the Carousel have worked meticulously to recreate the original appearance of the carousel at Lakeside Park. In addition to repainting and repairing each animal, we have hand-carved and donated two animals – an outside standing horse and a lion that is identical to the original Loof lion that was stolen in the 1970s.
We have also carved ornate heads for the carousel's outside rounding boards and repainted the coats of arms on the boards.
In 2009, we officially completed restoration work on all 78 animals and the four chariots on the carousel. We continue to repair and maintain the animals that have been worn down by delighted riders over the years.