Mangels Pony Cart Ride at Deno’s Kiddie Park, Coney Island. August 29, 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
Fourth of July calls up memories of riding a Mangels pony cart on the carny kids float in a smalltown parade. When Colbert’s Fiesta played Manomet, Massachusetts for the Fourth, the carnival once made a float bedecked with Pony Carts from the Mangels Pony Cart Ride. The little carny kids, including me, got to ride in the carts on the float, wearing our Sunday best. I remember being awestruck by the teenage girls who suddenly looked like fairy princesses in their prom gowns and tiaras. We flung candy and carnival prizes to the crowd.
This classic pony cart ride at Deno’s Kiddie Park was manufactured a few blocks away at the Mangels Factory on 8th Street in Coney Island, which is now the Deptartment of Motor Vehicles Building. William F. Mangels also invented the Whip, which we had on the carnival too. Happy Memories and Happy Fourth of July!
Related posts on ATZ…
May 18, 2012: Rare & Vintage: Pinto Bros. Pony Cart from Coney Island
April 20, 2012: Photo of the Day: Eldorado Auto Skooter Marquee
February 1, 2011: Bring Back the Whip! A Birthday Gift for William F Mangels
May 21, 2009: Astroland Closed But Your Kid Can Still Ride the USS Astroland This Summer!
Amusing the Zillion 
That was always one of my favorite rides as a child. It seemed like there was always one set up in the factory, waiting to be packed and shipped, that we could ride on when we visited my dad at work. It was one of the most magical places I’ve ever been.
Could you tell me when these were manufactured?
Would love to see pics of that small town parade or inside the Mangels studio.
I have some pix of the carny kids float, if I ccan find them! But I do have a nice surprise for you in my next post :-)
:). :). :)
I had a Mangels kiddy whip in Fla. Same basic design as the pony cart. I re-themed it as the bat whip because batman was popular on TV then. The scenery panels are the same. The artists painted one panel that was upside down and had to re do it. Got parts from Mangels in Coney Island as the shop was still open then.
jack b.
I wonder where it is now!