Johnson City Carousel Day is an annual, family-friendly event held each July and hosted by the Johnson City Rotary Club. This year’s celebration took place on Saturday, July 26 at CFJ Park in Johnson City, with generous support from local businesses and community sponsors.
The event featured a vibrant mix of vendors, community organizations, entertainment, and food. Fittingly, it was held at one of Broome County’s most iconic landmarks—the carousel at CFJ Park, one of six free carousels in the region. Broome County is proudly known as the Carousel Capital of the World, and this event reflects that unique local heritage.
Carousel Day aligns with Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self” by offering a free summer event for the enjoyment of Johnson City residents and neighboring communities. It also serves as a celebration of the area’s carousel history and the ongoing revitalization of Johnson City. In recognition of its community impact, JC Carousel Day received the Community Advocate Award in 2023 from the Chamber of Commerce. This award honors a grassroots event or festival that significantly contributes to the enrichment and improvement of its neighborhood.
Unlike traditional fundraisers, Carousel Day is designed purely for community enjoyment; any funds raised beyond expenses are reinvested into the event’s future growth and improvement.
This year, JC Carousel Day also served as the kickoff to a new week-long celebration—the Broome Rotary Carousel and Band Organ Rally. Organized collaboratively by local Rotary Clubs, the event includes informational tabling at each of the area’s carousel parks and culminates this weekend at the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton. There, the Carousel Organ Association of America will showcase over 30 carousel and crank organs from across the East Coast and Midwest, alongside presentations on band organ history and culture.