The North Bay Heritage Railway and Carousel Company is expected to be a busy place this long holiday weekend. It officially opened for the season on Mother's Day weekend. Laura Bennett took her two year old son and five year old daughter for a ride on the waterfront attractions.
"We come out as soon as it opens until it closes, almost every weekend," said Bennett.
Bennett rode the train and carousel when she was just a young child herself. She wants to pass the tradition on to her own children.
"I like the train, I rode it when I was a kid with my grandparents and parents. I love the memories I have. It was fun."
Lovie Ferguson's granddaughter Jillian lives in Calgary. Ferguson loves bringing Jillian to the waterfront, making memories with her, during her North Bay visits. And judging by the big smile on her granddaugher's face, Jillian thoroughly enjoyed riding on the carousel.
"This is a really special treat . She always knows about the carousel and the train, and it's the first thing she asks for when she comes to town."
For the past eight years, Pat Young has worked as a volunteer, dividing her time between the mini-train and carousels.
"I enjoy the children, I enjoy the companionship down here with all the other volunteers, and it just gives us something to do."
As a requirement for graduation, high school students must volunteer 40 hours of community service. Adam Bainbridge completed his mandatory 40 hours last year as a grade nine student, by volunteering at the waterfront attractions. It was such a positive experience, that he is back volunteering for another season.
"It's fun giving back to the community," said Bainbridge.
"I just like seeing smiles on people's faces."
There appears to be no shortage of volunteers to help run the larger 'North Bay Heritage Carousel.'
Unfortunately the same can't be said of the smaller 'Winter Wonderland Carousel.'
And until enough people step forward to volunteer, that carousel will remain closed.
"We need two for each attraction, and then a captain and someone in the ticket booth," said Young.
"So it's not too often that we have that many people to run it."
Young has noticed over the years, that it is getting harder to find volunteers.
"At first we had retired railway people, but they're getting older," added Young.
Volunteer application forms are available during the hours operation, which for now are Friday's from five o'clock to dusk, and ten until dusk on Saturdays and Sundays. It will open seven days a week starting June 26th.