“Kingsport needs a carousel” was the thought that sparked a community to gather and a dream to become a reality. One man started with a vision and soon was able to rally up the support to make it happen. Today the Kingsport Carousel in Tennessee is up and running, and it is a piece of art as much as it is a testament to a community that can work together.

Gale Joh woke up one morning and told his wife “Kingsport needs a carousel.”
Kingsport Carousel
The spark of an idea turned into a flame, and after sharing the dream, a group was rallied. Many of the passionate participants had little to no experience in carving. It was an unlikely group, to say the least, but that didn’t deter them from living out this vision.
The original four volunteers were named “The Four Horsemen,” and they learned together how to make a carousel.
Joel Presnell/ Google
That is a very difficult task, as you can imagine, but the love for their community fueled the group above all. Each intricate animal took over 1,000 hours to carve, sand, and paint, making each one a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Kingsport Carousel

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Carefully crafted additions like the hand-painted birds and butterflies around the carousel make this functional piece of artwork that much more amazing.
James Hubbard/ Google
Not content to just add horses, the volunteers included all kinds of animals on the Kingsport Carousel.
Management/ Tripadvisor
Ride a tiger, a frog, or a giraffe, but no creature is like the other. This adds a layer of fun and makes for a diverse experience every time you go. Each animal may seem very different when it comes to the wild, but with careful attention to detail, they all fit the overall theme of an old-timey carousel.
The Carousel Carving Studio is located above the Kingsport Carousel itself. The artists are hard at work carving and painting, and you can even go and watch these masterpieces come together. Please make sure to call ahead to see if the artists will be working that day.
Kingsport Carousel & Park/ Google

The Kingsport Carousel in Tennessee is a functional piece of art that is as fun to marvel at as it is to ride. The town really did need a carousel, and we are grateful for this addition from the hard-working volunteers to the man who was willing to dream. This story can be a good reminder of things that can be accomplished when a community comes together. For more information, please visit the Kingsport Carousel website. 

After riding the Carousel head on over to the original Pal’s right in town for a delicious burger. 

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Featured Addresses
Kingsport Carousel & Park, 350 Clinchfield St, Kingsport, TN 37660, USA