Sunday, June 15, 2025
Dreamland Amusements brought their carnival to the Merrick train station during Memorial Day Weekend, supporting local businesses and bringing joy to local residents.
There were gentle rides like the Patriot Wheel and rambunctious rides like the Sea Dragon. Games like Ring-A-Duck and Basketball offered prizes to winners. Concession stands provided lemonade, funnel cakes, pizza and more.
“All the stores around us, the workers go in and buy drinks, eat over here and all,” said James “Popeye” Rutt, the concessions manager for the carnival. “They like us here.”
Not only do the workers serve as patrons to local eateries and drink spots, they do a little shopping on Merrick Avenue too. Then there’s the added business from local residents who might not have gone into town that day.
Some carnival-goers are there for the food at the carnival itself.
“That would be the disgusting, greasy, awesome food,” said Quan Ngo.
And teenagers decided to attend on their own, and hadn’t planned on going to the carnival that day. “We were driving past and we saw it and just decided to come,” said Daniella Rivera.
“It was really interesting and nice,” said Rivera’s friend Ashley Portillo. “It brought our attention.”
For these two teenagers, going on the rides is a therapeutic process.
“I felt relieved because at the beginning you’re nervous and after you get over your fear,” Rivera said.
Other people attended to make the children in their lives happy.
“She wanted to come to the carnival,” said Denise Gali about her client Sari Cohen. “She enjoys it every year. How long have we been coming here? A long time, a lot of years.”
Cohen said she doesn’t know exactly how many years they’ve been coming, but she’s very happy when they do. “I’ve never been better,” she said.
Most of the parents at the carnival did not go on the rides themselves, but their children were elated to participate.
“My kids are going on all the rides,” said Gina Giobanelli. “They’re having a great time.”
“He feels excited, happy,” added Alyssia Vitelli of her nephew.
Some of the parents don’t go on the rides because they get nauseous.
“We usually go when they’re here,” said Maria Rodriguez. “I don’t go on rides, personally, because I get nauseous, but my son likes to go on them.”
Dreamland Amusements has been visiting Merrick for many years. They bring whichever rides will fit in the lot and are the most popular.
“Whatever rides will fit in that size lot, that’s what we bring,” Rutt said. “There’s a lot to choose from too. So whatever fits we bring in.”
They’re very attentive to inspecting their rides. “Every day they’re inspected, each and every one,” Rutt said. “There’s nothing overlooked there.”
Rutt said there are many age groups that visit the carnival, from five year olds to grandparents. The carnival served hundreds of people that day alone.
“Some like the food to come, some like the rides to come,” Rutt said. “ A lot of variety. People come from all directions and have a lot of fun.”
