Several years ago, a group of Pottstown citizens formed a committee with a common goal to revitalize their once-proud downtown area and make it a safe and appealing hub of activity for families to enjoy.

For a number of cities across America, the downtown attraction that brought families and businesses back – right along with the pride of community that had been lost – was a carousel.

A 1905 carousel mechanism made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company was then purchased. Less than 150 all-wood grand carousels remain in North America today, and Pottstown now owns one of them.

The effect of carousels is not far-fetched. Downtown turn-around has been seen in Mansfield, Ohio; Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Missoula, Montana, where similar projects thrive. Many of these carousels draw several hundred thousand visitors a year.

The Carousel at Pottstown, located between King and High streets at the western gateway to Pottstown, is a facility that will soon open. The animals on the carousel were hand-carved by Ed Roth, who makes animals for Disney Carousels.

The Carousel at Pottstown will hold a “Cigars and Scotch on the Rails” fundraiser on Saturday, July 16.

Ticket-holders will ride the rails from Boyertown to Pottstown and back on the historic Colebrookdale Railroad, the hidden and historic eight-mile rail line that winds through the “hidden valley.”

Sponsored by Goose’s Montecristo Cigars in Limerick and Cole’s Tobacco in Pottstown, the fundraiser includes a round-trip ticket on the railroad and a tour of the Carousel at Pottstown.

There are two ticket levels. “Sinners” will receive a rail ticket and two cigars and two glasses of scotch, along with light refreshment for $70. “Saints” pay $35 and will receive a rail ticket and can purchase wine.

Non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks are included.

It will host events and parties as well as carousel rides.

Click here for tickets for the fundraiser.