After about three years of fund-raising and hard work by volunteers, the Olcott Beach Carousel project, the vintage carousel from the 1940's and early 50's, was officially shown off and opened to the public on Saturday, May 17th, 2003. Scores of volunteers, many in the Olcott Beach area but significant numbers from Lockport, have labored for three years to make an idea promoted by Lockport teacher, Rosemary Sansone, bear fruit. Community turnout was light Saturday with about half of the crowd of just over 100 gathered at the carousel site identified as members of the volunteer committee and benefactors. Donations and in-kind services for the project are estimated in the near $100,000 range. Saturday those gathered to take first-day rides enjoyed complimentary refreshments and musical entertainment under beautiful sunny skies along the lake at Olcott Beach. The original Olcott carousel building, seen in the background, has enjoyed extensive restoration.
Key Enablers
Jack Cambell and his wife Marilyn were the finders and restorers of the original vintage 1940's carousel that was located out in the midwest and shipped to Olcott about a year ago. They pose below on each side of community volunteer leader, Tom Kelley. Kelley and his wife Joanne were one of many groups and individuals who donated as much as $1000 each to sponsor a horse on the carousel. Kelley is a member of the Lockport High School class of 1960. Karen Kilner of the Class of '60 was so impressed with the group's plan a year ago that she organized an effort to fund a horse under the class' name.
Lockport teacher Rosemary Sansone MC'ed the afternoon of introductions and
acknowledgements including the introduction of Jack Campbell who brought the carousel to
Olcott Beach and supervised its restoration.
In the background, Jim Sansone, (LHS '60) takes pictures while on break from his other duties of the afternoon; that of lead trumpeter in the live music provided by Marc Mazur's Little Big Band.
Lockport
Pager and member of the Lockport High School Class of 1960, Peter Buckholtz prepares
to mount the class-sponsored horse, "Spirit Of '60" seen in the inner row on the
newly restored carousel. Buckholtz shows carousel operator, Lockportian Ed Sandusky,
a "gold card" pass that each of the (24) horse sponsors received, good for
lifetime rides on the amusement.
In his youth, Sandusky was employed as a carousel operator when the Olcott Beach Amusement Park was in its heyday. He's been involved in the volunteer work and was on hand Opening Day to man the controls.
Karen Kilner, LHS '60, not present for Opening Day, was the class leader who raised the money for sponsoring Spirit of '60.
"One Tired Horse"
An "Art On Wheels" Wood Sculpture Looks On
As Customers Frolic Inside On Beautiful Carousel Horses
More to come. Fundraising is continuing toward an ultimate goal of establishing a small vintage amusement park on this site at Olcott Beach. Later this year additional rides, to compliment the carousel are expected to be added. According to Rosemary Sansone, the chairman of the Olcott Beach Carousel Park, Inc., the goal is to help revive Olcott Beach with family fun area centered on this site.
Children riding the Olcott Carousel in this1949 photo are probably retired today, or enjoying "The Big Ride in the sky."
News & Picture
Coverage of Olcott is included on our News Of Newfane Page
Tourism information on the
Olcott-Newfane area is in our Tourism Section