Bushnell Carousel offers free rides as Hartford celebrates America’s 250th

As Hartford celebrated America’s 250th birthday Saturday, one of the city’s oldest attractions welcomed visitors for one of the few days each year when admission is free.

The Bushnell Park Carousel opened its doors at no cost as part of the city’s Independence Day festivities, giving families a chance to experience a piece of Hartford history while escaping the summer heat.

“It’s one of the most incredible pieces that we have here in downtown Hartford,” said Morgan Fippinger, executive director of the Bushnell Park Conservancy.

The carousel itself is older than many visitors realize.

“It is a 1914, so it’s a true antique carousel,” Fippinger said.

For many Hartford residents, the carousel has long been a fixture in Bushnell Park. For others, including newcomers to the city, it offered a chance to experience one of Hartford’s most recognizable landmarks for the first time.

Fippinger said the free ride day is one of the conservancy’s ways of participating in Hartford’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

“The free days when we have thousands of people in the park, it can be a lot,” Fippinger said. “It’s a lot of impact on the park and the infrastructure of the park. But also it’s an amazing time for so many people that are not necessarily always from Hartford, get to come in and see the amazing resources that Hartford has.”

While the Bushnell Park Conservancy cares for much more than the carousel, Fippinger said the attraction often serves as an introduction to the city’s rich history.

“There’s an amazing amount of history here, resources here,” Fippinger said. “And, you know, so we are kind of the eyes and ears for the City of Hartford.”

The air-conditioned carousel building also offered visitors a chance to cool off as temperatures climbed during the holiday celebration.

“We do want to make sure that everybody stays hydrated,” Fippinger said. “And the carousel building is air conditioned. So if people are feeling hot or feeling like they need to get cool, they can come in and take a ride. Plus, when you’re on the ride, it feels amazing.”