HAMPTON, Va. — After nearly two years, including months of much-needed repairs, the iconic Hampton Carousel is ready for its grand re-opening. But the big celebration party has been delayed just a little bit longer.
The city originally announced the carousel would reopen on Saturday, March 23 with a ceremony at 11 a.m. However, a stormy Saturday forecast has dampened those plans. Instead, the new date for the grand reopening ceremony will be Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you do brave the elements on Saturday to see the renovated carousel, you can still ride it for free, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rides normally cost $1.
Free rides will again be given all day on April 6, and there will be other festivities including face painting, a food truck rodeo, make-and-take crafts, and a DJ.
The carousel, which was originally located at the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park in the 1920s, is more than 100 years old and is considered a historic artifact.
It was disassembled in the 1980s following the amusement park's closure and after years of restoration, it was relocated to a pavilion in Downtown Hampton.
The Hampton Carousel
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but was closed in the summer of 2022 when inspectors found issues with the supporting rods and the poles lifting the horses. It was sent to Ohio-based Carousels and Carvings for repair and further restoration work.
The carousel is operated by the Hampton History Museum and will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except when it is closed on Monday. It is normally closed from January 1 to March 31 but is opening early this year.
We went digging in our archives and found this news report we made in 1980 highlighting the carousel when it was still located at Buckroe Beach: