Reopening of Seaside Heights’ Historic Carousel Likely Pushed to Fall

The historic Dentzel-Looff carousel in Seaside Heights. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Restoration work on Seaside Heights’ historic Dentzel-Looff carousel is complete, and the vintage attraction dating back to the 1910s may spin again soon, but without the fanfare officials were hoping to bring to the boardwalk this summer.

Officials were hoping the carousel might be the subject of a grand reopening for National Carousel Day, which is celebrated July 25. But while the ride will likely be back in town by then, a great deal of work is still required before the attraction itself can be opened to the public. That said, there are a few new ideas being floated to make the inaugural spin extra special.

“After they put it up, there is still a lot we have to do,” said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz. “The state has to inspect it, we have to get a railing, we have to be trained on how to operate it and hire a team to actually do that on a daily basis.”

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The carousel was taken apart in 2021, with some pieces being placed in a commercial storage facility locally and others being sent to Ohio to be restored. A part of the restoration effort has been the repainting of the horses, carriages and other features that make up the attraction, which is a service only offered by a single company in that state. The company works on one carousel at a time.

At present, the largest challenge is getting through the state inspection process. New Jersey is one of the few states that require inspections and certifications for amusement rides to operate, and the backlog is significant, since only a small team of state employees are responsible for the entire coast. There is also the issue of training staff on how to operate the carousel and its vintage organ and sound system, plus installing rails and other accessories.

The Seaside Heights Carousel Pavilion, April 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The borough is also still contending with water intrusion at two of the large doors at the Carousel Pavilion. The borough council has so far held the bond of the construction company that installed the doors, and may have to formally litigate the matter if they fail to fix it. That issue, however, is expected to be resolved relatively quickly.

The plan moving forward, while much different from the summer celebration that had originally been envisioned, comes with its own special beauty.

“We’re thinking that we may try to pick a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas and do a holiday opening,” said Vaz.

“Christmas in Seaside Heights” is set up in the Carousel Pavilion on the boardwalk. (Photo: Patricia Nee)

The borough, two years ago, decorated the carousel pavilion building on the boardwalk for Christmas, drawing high praise from local residents and visitors who came to town to see the display.