RALPHO TOWNSHIP -- Many of us go to Knoebels Amusement Resort each year to enjoy the rides, but we don't know what goes into getting them ready for the season.
Each horse on the century-old carousel is carefully scrubbed...with a toothbrush!
Arguably one of the most popular rides at Knoebels is the carousel. Employees estimate around 400 people ride it in an hour. During the summer, the park is open 11 hours a day. You do the math.
Before the ride is up and running, it must be cleaned and employees say that is a major process that can't be done when it's cold outside.
"All of these horses look great to me, but you're saying they are pretty dirty?"
"They're very dirty! Yes, they are," Cecilia Wesloskie said.
Wesloskie is in charge of washing all 63 horses on the carousel.
"I wet it down first with some cleaners inside here and then I take the toothbrush and I'm squirting with clear water and just scrubbing into all the cracks and crevices," Wesloskie said.
Wesloskie says each horse takes her about 20 minutes to wash. It takes her several weeks to clean all the horses and touch up any paint.
"They do get worn pretty hard, so we have to take pretty good care of them," Wesloskie said.
Another ride that's sure to bring in lots of people is the brand new Impulse roller coaster, which employees say has been a long time in the making.
"Now we're at the point that we are installing utilities around the job site. Everything from electrical to propane to water lines," Stacy Ososkie said.
After utilities are installed, employees say impulse will be tested for safety. As of now the ride is set to open on opening day, which is April 25.