Fireworks and American Flags: Society Reflects on Patriotic Flag Horse and Euclid Beach Park Independence Day Traditions

Contacts: Kim St. John-Stevenson, Public Relations Consultant, Carousel Society (216) 375-3006; [email protected]

Jane Mason, Dir., Marketing and Communications, Western Reserve Historical Society (216) 752-2252, ext. 1501: [email protected]

CLEVELAND – July 2, 2013 – Summer parks. Fireworks. American flags. These are all icons of summer that can bring smiles to faces of all ages. For many local families, memories of the Euclid Beach Park Carousel also bring smiles and vivid recollections of carousel horses and happy times at the park. With the Fourth of July upon us, some Carousel Society members shared some of their recollections of the fun-filled days at the Euclid Beach Park before it closed in 1969.

Fireworks Were Annual Tradition at Euclid Beach Park The Fourth of July was a big event at the park. “Fireworks were initiated at Euclid Beach Park in its first season in 1895,” said John Frato, Carousel Society Secretary and current president of Euclid Beach Park Now (EPBN). “The first fireworks display reportedly cost $1,000 and attracted 50,000 visitors to the Park. The display started at the end of the pier and crowds literally lined the banks of to celebrate America’s birthday,” Frato added.

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Frato described photos that depict a publicity stunt staged by the Humphrey family who owned the park at the time. “These photos show park employees heading to a street car to deposit $20,000 in cash receipts from the Fourth of July business at the park,” Frato said. “Clearly, the Fourth of July was a wildly popular day at the park.”

Flag Horse Holds Place of Honor The American flag-themed horse often was in a prime location on the outside lane on many . It was a place of honor, indicating particularly high esteem for the patriotically decorated horse that was usually draped with or adorned with the American flag. According to the National Carousel Association, “the American flag horse was a recurring theme for carvers and painters of Carousel figures. Besides making a statement of enthusiasm and patriotism for the parks and patrons, many carousel creators were recent immigrants, proudly embracing their new country.”

The “Flag Horse” on the Euclid Beach Park Carousel is no different. Having traveled from Cleveland to Old Orchard, Maine and back, the horse has now been “adopted” by local historian and antique expert, Terry Kovel. Ms. Kovel serves as Chairperson of the Carousel Society. Other horses are also available for adoption through a contribution to the restoration of the Carousel.

It is fitting that the prominent flag horse be adopted by Kovel, as it was her late husband, Ralph Kovel, who introduced the concept of restoring the carousel to Dr. Raymond Rackley, now Executive Director of the Carousel Society. Ralph Kovel was a member of the Western Reserve Historical Society board, Terry Kovel noted, and it was his dream to see the carousel back in full operation.

Ralph Kovel would be pleased to see that his dream is progressing. Dr. Gainor Davis, President and CEO, Western Reserve Historical Society said, “We know how enthusiastic Ralph was about the carousel and about getting it back to Cleveland and operational. It will be an exciting day when we have that first ride on the Carousel in the Glass Pavilion. It is a treasured part of Cleveland’s past—it will be right at home here at the History Center where people will be able to ride it once again.”

Visit the Glass Pavilion and Walk Around Where the Carousel will be Installed The Glass Pavilion at the Western Reserve Historical Society is open for viewing during the same hours that the History Center is open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. A number of the actual Euclid Beach Carousel horses—including the patriotic Flag Horse, and a scale-model mockup of the carousel, are currently on display there. Visitors will be able to enter through the History Center and walk around the Glass Pavilion. When operational, visitors

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will be able to buy tickets to ride the carousel. The Carousel is expected to be open in the next 15-24 months.

About the Cleveland Carousel Society The Cleveland Carousel Society was established in 2010 with the goal of returning the Euclid Beach Park Carousel to full operation in the Cleveland area. Founded by community members who understood the profound impact that restoring and operating an original piece of Cleveland history would have on the region, this volunteer-driven organization’s mission is to restore the carousel to its former glory and support the Carousel Education and Cultural Partnership Programs. In addition, board members from Euclid Beach Park Now—a community organization formed in 1989 to honor and preserve the memory of Euclid Beach Park—support the Carousel Society’s mission and serve on the board.

About Euclid Beach Park Now (EBPN) Euclid Beach Park Now’s mission is to support the education of the public as to the history of Euclid Beach Park through lectures, exhibits, displays, memorabilia shows, television and radio appearances, and any other available form. EBPN also supports the preservation of physical items from Euclid Beach Park that may be owned by other organizations, private individuals, or any other entity.

About Western Reserve Historical Society Western Reserve Historical Society is one of the largest regional historical societies in the United States and is known for its vast and diverse collections. WRHS was founded in 1867, at a time when points west of Northeast were largely remote and untamed. The founding mission included collection and preservation of the heritage of the Western Reserve (Northeast Ohio) and the Far West. Today, that mission has been focused to inspire people to discover the American experience by exploring the tangible history of Northeast Ohio. Over the past nearly 150 years, WRHS has collected the region’s history in order to tell the stories of the people who immigrated to Northeast Ohio and created a viable and vibrant place to live and work.

WRHS owns and operates multiple historic sites throughout northeast Ohio, including the History Center in University Circle, Hale Farm & Village, the outdoor living history museum located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Shandy Hall, a home in Geneva that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built and owned by Harper family, the first family to settle in Ashtabula County, Ohio.

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Photos of the Carousel Pavilion are available upon request. To learn more about the Euclid Beach Park Carousel, go to www.clevelandcarousel.org, http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Clevelands-Euclid-Beach-Park-Carousel-Society/270690543023576, or follow the Carousel Society on Twitter @CLECarousel. Tours of the Glass Pavilion are also available upon request.

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WRHS receives public support with local tax dollars from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Sponsorships, bequests, grants, admissions, and other funding are used to preserve and enrich the region’s artistic and cultural heritage. If you are interested in a funding opportunity for the Western Reserve Historical Society, please contact Amy Shorey, Director of Development, [email protected]

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