Lark Carousel – Kellogg, MN - Carousels on Waymarking.com

This fabulous carousel is one of the popular attractions at Lark Toys. Whimsical hand-carved animals are works of art. The cost is $2 for a memorable ride on the LARK carousel. A sign tells the background of the carousel’s creation and reads:

Welcome to the LARK Carousel! This original, hand-carved carousel was the vision of Donn Kreofsky, one of the founders of LARK Toys. Donn set out to create the biggest toy he could imagine.

Beginning in 1988, he began sketching animals and discussing his ideas with Bill Stark, a local wood carver.

Once designs were finalized, Tim Monson, LARK’s head toymaker, cut and glued lengths of Minnesota-grown, kiln-dried basswood and Bill began carving. Many different chisels and gouges were used to achieve the effects of feathers, fur, scales, skin, leaves, flowers, and pelts. Chisel marks were left to highlight the craftsmanship of hand-carving.

As each carving was completed, LARK artist Mary Eversman hand-painted each animal in exquisite detail. To each with an open mouth she gave a gold tooth. The closed-mouth Hippocampus got a gold snail in his nose. Multiple coats of polyurethane were applied to every carving to help protect it from scuffs, scrapes, and buckles. The true wood grain, freckles, wood seams, and knots can still be seen through the poly.

Once the animals were carved and painted, they had to be assembled and mechanized. Todd Goings, Master Carousel Builder from Ohio, designed and fabricated custom mechanicals for the heavy pieces. Todd and his crew delivered the parts and set up the carousel on site.
The entire carousel is suspended by the center hub and guy rods. Its floor is hickory, grown and milled here in the river bottoms. On the floor near the wolf there is an original old metal slug that was buried in a tree. Tim and Mary created river-themed panels showing wildlife and the Minnesota bluffs to decorate the inside panels.

The completed carousel weighs about 15,000 lbs. Due to the heavy weight of the carvings there is a weight limit of 185 lbs. for riders of up and down animals. Riders who exceed the limit may ride on the bench, the ostrich cart, or the stationary pig, or stand next to an animal. We ask LARK guests to be respectful of this limit to help us preserve this treasure. The bench can hold two riders, or the seat can be removed to accommodate a wheelchair.

The Carousel’s grand opening in May of 1997 represented the culmination of nine years of dreams and hard work by Donn, Bill, Tim, and Mary.

The LARK Toys Carousel has become a destination for families and fans from the state, across the country, and around the world. It has been ridden by babies, elders, prom-goers, newlyweds, foreign exchange students, and thousands of others who have delighted in riding this extraordinary work of art.

Anyone under three or over 90 is invited to ride for free. As local teacher Mary Brelsford put it, “You are always just the right age to ride the LARK Carousel!”

Carousel Location: Other Is the Carousel operational?: Yes Does the Music work?: Yes Cost to ride: $2.00 Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Related Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Please include a photo of your self at the location or a picture of your favorite animal on that carousel.

If you are lucky enough to take a ride on your visit, tell us what animal you rode.

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