THUNDER BAY – “If you ever have wanted to see how the mirrors at the top of the Chippewa Park Carousel are made, this weekend is the time to do it at the Hymers Fair” announced Terry Hurtig, volunteer carving coordinator for the Carousel Restoration. “We will also be displaying works-in-progress of the re-carving of the dragons that dominate the rounding boards at the top of the carousel. We would love to have everyone in the Thunder Bay area stop by, look at our work and talk to us about it.”
The Thunder Bay Carvers Association has partnered with the Save Our Carousel Committee of The Friends of Chippewa Park to repair and re-carve the 16 mirrors, the 32 dragons and the 16 branches that adorn the exterior of the historic C.W. Carousel.
“This work has a value of approximately $150,000 if it was to be done by a private contractor” noted Save Our Carousel Co-Chair, Donna Gilhooly. “The significant contribution of their time and skills, not only reduces the amount of money we have to raise for the restoration but ensures that the community will play a major personal part in the restoration.”
The contribution by the Carvers Association, once completed, will have increased the value of the combined financial and in-kind contribution to well over $600,000.
LAST CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NAME THE HORSE CONTEST
The Save the Carousel Committee has decided to extend the contest where the public can submit a ballot in order to win a chance to name one of the 28 restored Carousel horses. “With the Carvers on display at Hymers Fair we felt it was an ideal opportunity for people to cast their ballot, so we have delayed the draw until sometime in September. Ballots can also be filled out at Chippewa Park on Sunday during the last Sunday in the Park Concert.
The Hymers Fair runs on Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2.
