The Central Park Carousel is up and running again.

“I’m very surprised. I’m really excited for the new carousel,” said 6-year-old Yuval Kav.

It’s not quite new, but it is new for Yuval and his family, who were among the first group of people to ride the Friedsam Memorial Carousel when it reopened Saturday. The anticipation was all over Yuval's face.

“I’m looking forward to having lots of fun with my little sister,” he said.  

With the ring of a bell, 57 of those hand-carved horses took riders on a spin again after being shut down for the past 18 months. NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff was there, and said the carousel represents New York’s resilience, and has long been the center of many family friendly memories.

“I was probably five or six years old, and it’s a very clear memory for me, and I took my daughter here when she was around the same age,” Fialkoff said.

This year, the merry-go-round is being operated by Central Amusement International Inc. The group’s president and CEO, Alessandro Zamperla, said his team will be following COVID-19 guidelines to ensure visitors' safety.

“We encourage our guests to wear masks especially when inside the carousel. We have social distancing, so we’re loading different rows, so we’re keeping people distant, and we have frequent cleaning, especially the poles and the horses,” Zamperla said.

The first 50 riders on the carousel rode for free. Many guests said the reopening of the New York City staple is a welcoming sight.

“It means that they’re getting a chance to enjoy a central part of the city, a pivotal part of what it means to be a child in New York City,” Adele Ashley said while waiting with her family outside the carousel.

“It was amazing,” Yuval said after his carousel ride came to an end.  

The carousel will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.