Binghamton, New York -
Carousel Capital, Speidies

Binghamton has six running carousels out of 170 in the world, making it the Carousel Capital. The Speidi Fest and Balloon Rally is held every summer. Speidies are marinated, bite-sized meat cooked on a skewer over the grill, and were invented in Binghamton. [Lee Clark, 08/31/2006]

The carousels were brought to the Binghamton area by George F. Johnson, head of Endicott Johnson Shoe Factories, a large employer of workers, at one point over 20,000, in the 1920s or so. He and his family were great philanthropists, and the carousels were to be free to ride, for everyone's enjoyment. The Ross Park Carousel has an "entry fee" of one piece of litter, so that childeren and adults are encouraged to keep the park clean. The company/family also donated parks, a library, had a company store/farmer's market, provided worker housing at a good cost, etc. It's fun to ride the carousels 00 my mom did, I did, my son did, and I expect my future grandchildren will as well. My favorite is the CFJ Park carousel. CFJ Park was named after one of Geo F's sons, I think. [Michele Merges Martens, 03/06/2004]

Broome County, New York declares itself the "Carousel Capital of the World." With six antique carousels, the Triple Cities region has more antique carousels than any other single region in North America. These carousels are all open to the public (except during the winter), are all in well kept local parks, and are all absolutely free. Ross Park also contains a free carousel museum. These carousels were donated to the communties by a local factory owner in the 1920s. [Jerid Jones, 08/23/1999]