North Bay News: Another season of memories at the Heritage Railway and Carousel | So Good News

Another season at the Heritage Railway and Carousel on North Bay’s waterfront comes to a close this weekend, with Thanksgiving Monday marking the last day of operations for the year.

The site is a major attraction in North Bay, with around 100,000 people stopping by to either ride the train or carousel each summer. According to their latest Facebook post, the site welcomed people from all over the world this year; from Turkey, Switzerland and the Netherlands, along with almost every province in Canada and several American states.

“It’s very busy on the weekends. With the farmers market across the street and the splash pad, it gets really busy here. It’s quite consuming, but nice,” Robert Faulkner, a volunteer at the heritage site.

This summer was the first time it has been open in two years because of the pandemic, and Faulkner said it was busy again.

“This year the biggest thing was that everyone was happy to see us back after two years with covid-19, we didn’t operate during the pandemic. So they’re very happy to see us back and in the end we’ve done pretty well this year,” he explained.

The Heritage Train and carousel are staffed only by dedicated crews of volunteers. Organized said it is getting harder to find those willing to help; But those who volunteer love every second of it.

“I just like being around people, getting out and volunteering and doing what I have to do,” said Rob Parcher, who has volunteered at the site for 12 years.

“I like the train, and I like the merry-go-round here, I like everything about being here to tell you the truth.”

Things will soon be closed until next spring, but Parcher told CTV News volunteers are always welcome until next year.

“What an amazing summer this has been for all the volunteers who work so diligently on this, the jewel of our Norrh Bay Waterfront,” the company said on Facebook last month.

For more information about tickets or how to volunteer visit their website.