Carousel of Dreams Debuts at Factory at Franklin

A certain segment of visitors to the new Carousel of Dreams at the Factory at Franklin will inevitably walk away with a wistful Joni Mitchell song humming in their heads.

Meanwhile, others might conclude their circuit with “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan going round and round in their minds.  

Because the Carousel of Dreams is somehow simultaneously nostalgic and mainstream, a modern-day memory in the making.

On a recent Monday morning, we treated ourselves to a ride on the carousel, which debuted May 31 in a standalone structure built specifically to house the menagerie. We tapped our smartphones in exchange for old-fashioned paper carnival-style admit-one tickets, then chose our mounts from a colorful herd that includes tiger, toad, giraffe and horses of all stripes, from seahorse and unicorn to zebra and bucking bronco. When we asked the operator to play “Pink Pony Club,” he indulged us, and we sang all the way around. We can’t wait to go back. Next time, we’ll borrow some kids. (Friday, July 25, is National Carousel Day, marking the anniversary of the first U.S. patent for a carousel, issued in 1871.)

Carousel of Dreams is the 30-year labor of love by master carver Ken Means, whose project to craft a rocking horse for his daughters evolved into a body of work that promises to become a family-friendly landmark.

In 2021, when Holladay Properties purchased the Factory at Franklin, where Means kept his studio and growing menagerie, the artist’s decades-long dream to corral his creations onto a carousel found a champion. The newly formed Circle of Giving not-for-profit, now housed inside the Factory, raised $1.4 million from local donors to fund construction by California-based Barrango carousel manufacturer. Going forward, ticket sales ($5 a ride) will benefit Franklin-area nonprofits that serve Williamson County. Inaugural Circle of Giving beneficiaries include FrankTown Open Hearts, Friends of Franklin Parks’ campaign for Ellie G’s Dreamworld inclusive playground, Hard Bargain Association, and The NOOK (Needs of Our Kids).  

Carousel of Dreams, located in Building 7 of the Factory at Franklin, opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday. Riders under 42 inches must ride with a companion standing beside them. The carousel is wheelchair accessible.