It’s a sound synonymous with our childhood. No matter the age, carousels have always had a way of making us feel like a kid again.

No one knows that better than Mary Grassi. The lifelong Endicott resident grew up in the “Carousel Capital of the World,” and has some of her best memories riding these historic horses.

“There’s just something about it when you hear it and you’re going around, and the wind is in your hair. It’s nice to see this generation at least appreciate it in some measure,” Grassi said.

Grassi now has the privilege of leaving her mark on one specific carousel that holds a special meaning for her.

She’s painting every chariot and adding new signage to the George W. Johnson park merry-go-round, which was recently out of commission for over two years.

It opened in 1935, giving the poor children of factory workers, Grassi's father included, a place to gather and have fun.

“You like to think of your dad when he was five years old, running around the park with his brothers and riding the carousel for free. They were four. He was one of 16 kids, so how awesome is it that you can think of this man, George F. Johnson, that did this wonderful thing for the kids,” said Grassi.

Johnson was a pioneer for the Southern Tier, building factories, parks, homes for his workers, and six free carousels across Broome County. Grassi wanted to make sure his legacy lived on, along with the village he dedicated his life to serve.

“We started with the “Home of the Square Deal” arch here. This is George F. Johnson’s house,” said Grassi.

Each panel tells a story for kids of all ages to learn.

A mission that was meant to children a free and safe place to enjoy is now continuing that goal 87 years later.

“I just think that piece of it, I mean like, ‘what is that, why did they do a picture of this house? Whose house is this and what’s this arch mean?’ So that maybe kids will ask a question, they’ll learn a little bit about where their parents and grandparents came from,” said Grassi.

The Little Italy foundation will host “Easter in the Park” with carousel rides from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m on Saturday, April 9, along with a community Easter egg hunt at noon.

The carousel will also be open the next day.