Kingsport’s ‘Carousel Jay’ honored for his years of service
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — One of the Kingsport Carousel’s long-time employees was honored on Tuesday for his years of dedicated service. “Carousel Jay” is an operator of the Kingsport attraction.
Carousel Jay, whose actual name is Jay Church, has a tree-trunk-inspired booth he works in daily, and he’s seen countless happy families enjoy carousel rides. The City of Kingsport honored Church with a special plaque and celebration Tuesday for his happiness-inspiring work.
Kingsport Main Street Rebuild passes halfway mark
Church told News Channel 11 that there have been more than 500,000 riders come through the carousel doors since it opened in 2015 and that he’s grateful to have operated the carousel for every one of them.
“Means everything,” he said. “It’s actually hard for me to put it in words, but I’ve invested a lot, I think, in my life, in the carousel. But I’ve fortunately received more than I’ve invested.”
The plaque reads: “In appreciation to Jay Church. For the lives that you’ve touched through your selfless service, we thank you. Our community is a better place because of you. May 21, 2024.”
City leaders and carousel frequenters gathered to celebrate Church and hang a new banner on his operator’s seat that says, “Carousel Jay’s Booth.” Church said that the carousel has helped him just as much as he helps run it.
“And it’s worth more than just getting up and going to work. It’s a lifesaver, I think, in our retirement age, if you don’t do something that gives you purpose and value, that you kind of wither away. But I’ve been fortunate by being blessed by the carousel.”
The carousel, located at 350 Clinchfield Street in downtown Kingsport, was constructed over the course of six years and opened in 2015. It features 32 hand-carved wooden animals, 24 rafter-based creatures and two chariots. The carousel sits on a refurbished 1956 Allen Herschell frame, donated to Kingsport by the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The Kingsport Carousel is open year-round Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the last ride starts at 4:50. And the cost to ride is $1 per person. Visitors can greet and talk to Carousel Jay during their visit if they spot him.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
