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Valley’s Christmas Merry-Go-Round is officially opening this year on Sunday, Nov. 26. The first rides begin at 1 p.m. ET. 

This year marks the 67th year anniversary that the merry-go-round has visited the Valley area. Parks and Recreation Director Laurie Blount said the attraction is a family-friendly event that has become a tradition. 

“It has a lot of meaning to a lot of people in Valley,” Blount said. “They rode it as kids, their grandkids or their kids now ride it. It’s just something that has been around for so long that the people really people in Valley really look forward to it.”

West Point Pepperell began the merry-go-round in 1956 as a gift to the community, which was largely made up of factory employees. Since the factory closed, the city of Valley has taken up running the event for the community. 

The Christmas attraction has begun to draw crowds further out from Valley and Chambers County as well. 

“That makes a big impact because they are coming to Valley and spending money on gas and food,” Blount said.

There will be two food vendors each weekend and a bouncy house at the merry-go-round. Blount said there may also be craft vendors there as well. A train will also carry people in the area between the merry-go-round to a nativity scene set up at the Langdale United Methodist Church.

From Nov. 26 to Dec. 18, the hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. ET, while Saturday will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Beginning on Dec. 19, the hours will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day until Christmas Eve. 

Blount warned guests to arrive early on Christmas Eve if they want to ride because the merry-go-round will close promptly at 5 p.m. ET.