Slater Park Steps Back to 1910 for First Looff Carousel Heritage Festival

Five-Cent Carousel Rides, Historic Tours, Art, Vintage Photography and Family Activities Highlight August 29 Celebration that will mark the carousel’s arrival at Slater Park.

The Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park, in partnership with the City of Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Department, will present the inaugural Looff Carousel at Slater Park Heritage Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m. as part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival.

The Heritage Festival will invite visitors to step back in time and experience the history, art, and traditions that have helped shape Slater Park and the City of Pawtucket.

At the center of the celebration will be the historic 1895 Looff Carousel, which arrived at Slater Park in 1910 and has delighted generations of families. In a special nod to the past, carousel rides during the Heritage Festival will cost just five cents.

The festival will showcase Slater Park’s historic triangle—the Looff Carousel, Daggett House and J.C. Potter Casino—three landmarks within the Slater Park Historic District.

Festival highlights will include:

• A ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of a new interpretive sign for the Looff Carousel, gifted by the Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park
• Remarks from community leaders and historic preservation advocates
• Five-cent rides on the historic Looff Carousel
• Vintage-style Paper Moon keepsake photography inside the carousel, sponsored by Pawtucket resident and RISD Museum photographer Erik Gould
• A special appearance by Charles I.D. Looff, presented by Ten 31 Productions of Pawtucket
• The debut of the Anna Kent Partridge Lecture Series, exploring the history of Slater Park, Charles I.D. Looff, the carousel’s restoration and efforts to preserve it sponsored by the City of Pawtucket Parks Commission
• Vintage 1916 fire truck
• Complimentary guided tours of the historic Daggett House Museum sponsored by Good Sports with Bill Mulholland
• Art and cultural exhibits presented by the Rhode Island Watercolor Society at the J.C. Potter Casino
• Rhode Island Spinners Guild demonstrations
• Traditional lawn games and heritage demonstrations

Mayor Donald R. Grebien said, “The Pawtucket Arts Festival is a celebration of everything that makes our city unique, and the inaugural Looff Carousel Heritage Festival is a wonderful addition to this year’s lineup. It shines a spotlight on one of Pawtucket’s most cherished landmarks while allowing families to experience our history in a fun and meaningful way. I encourage everyone to join us in Slater Park to celebrate our community, our heritage, and this exciting new tradition.”

“This festival is an opportunity to bring Pawtucket’s history to life and introduce a new generation to the remarkable treasures located right here in Slater Park,” said Patricia S. Zacks, President of the Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park. “We want families to experience the carousel, explore the park’s historic landmarks and understand why preserving these places matters. We hope that the Heritage Festival will become an annual community tradition.”

The Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Pawtucket’s historic Looff Carousel. Through education, advocacy and community engagement, the organization works to increase public awareness of the carousel and ensure that this historic landmark continues to be enjoyed by future generations.

Hundreds of families, history enthusiasts, artists and visitors from throughout the Blackstone Valley and beyond are expected to take part in the inaugural celebration.

EVENT AT A GLANCE

What: Looff Carousel at Slater Park Heritage Festival
When: Saturday, August 29, 2026, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Slater Memorial Park, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Presented by: Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park in partnership with the City of Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Department
Featuring: Five-cent carousel rides, historic tours, art and cultural exhibits, vintage photography, history presentations, heritage activities and more

Sponsors of this event include Pawtucket Rotary, Slater Industrial Archives, City of Pawtucket, Ricard Jewelers, RI News Today, Cheryl Babiec, Dave Gwizdowski & Mary-Frances Snow, Pamela Hughes

ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF THE LOOFF CAROUSEL AT SLATER PARK

The Friends of the Looff Carousel at Slater Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote the historic 1895 Looff Carousel at Slater Park. The organization works to build public awareness and appreciation of the carousel and its importance to Pawtucket’s cultural and historic heritage.