Fire at the State Fair

Fire at the State Fair! June 2nd is a significant date for Cafesjian’s Carousel. On that day in 1939, a fire broke out at the Minnesota State Fair which spread to the merry-go-round building. If not for the quick action of the Saint Paul Fire Department to douse the blaze, PTC-33 may have joined the hundreds […]

Smokey

The greatest rocking horse you ever did see… Sometime in the summer of 1914, Austin McFadden journeyed to the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to observe the progress on the carousel he had ordered in May for installation at the Minnesota State Fair. While at the factory, master carver David Lightfoot showed him the finished […]

Austin McFadden

The Carousel Arrives at the State Fair The story of Austin McFadden In April 1914, the Minnesota State Fair, operated by the State Agricultural Society, embraced an exciting new attraction that would become a beloved tradition for decades to come. Austin McFadden, a concessionaire from Grand Rapids, Michigan, secured approval to bring a grand carousel […]

Thank You

Cafesjian’s Carousel Thank you What better way to kick off our blog than with a heartfelt thank you? This platform is a space for stories, updates, and celebrations, and what better place to start than by recognizing the incredible individuals and organizations who make it all possible. A huge thank you to the late Gerard Cafesjian, […]