Riding the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs, MA on Martha's Vineyard

The Flying Carousel is the nation's oldest platform carousel and has been designated as a national landmark. Constructed in 1876 by Charles Dare, it is one of only two Dare carousels still in existence. Originally operated as a Coney Island New York amusement, it was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884, where it has lived in its red barn ever since. The carousel was acquired by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust in 1986 to prevent it from being dismantled and sold piecemeal. During the ride, you may grab rings from the red ring dispenser and collect them on the post on top of your horses head. At the end of the ride, the rider with the special brass ring gets a free ride on the carousel. There are 2 rows with a total of 20 wooden standing stationary horses with glass sulfide eyes and leather ears and 3 dragon and 1 fish chariots. The band organ is a Wurlitzer 103.