Cedar Downs Racing Derby
1967

Cedar Downs Racing Derby is a racing carousel attraction located on the Main Midway at Cedar Point.

Cedar Downs was added as part of Cedar Point’s expansion plan in the 1960s, when the park aimed to become the “Disneyland of the Midwest.”

The 1950s were a difficult time for Cedar Point. The park had fallen into poor condition due to a lack of upkeep following the Great Depression. During this time, Cedar Point was purchased by two businessmen who originally planned to close the park and develop the land into a housing community. However, after studying the park’s operations and the amusement park industry, their plans changed. Instead, they decided to transform Cedar Point into the “Disneyland of the Midwest.”

Soon, bigger rides and attractions began arriving at the park. In 1958, Cedar Point opened the Cadillac Cars on the Main Midway. In 1960, the lagoons were used for the Riverboat Cruise, which was later Western Cruise and eventually Paddlewheel Excursions.

In 1961, Cedar Point added Cedar Classic Miniature Golf, Sky Wheel, and the Rotor. The following year, the Sky Ride opened. With the Sky Ride, guests could see the sights of Cedar Point from the air without having to ride a roller coaster.

In 1963, the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad began taking guests deep into the woods of the peninsula. That same year, Cedar Point opened Mill Race, which was only the second log flume ride in the world at the time.

The park’s first major roller coaster since 1929, Blue Streak, opened in 1964. In 1965, Space Spiral became the first ride in the world to stand over 300 feet tall. Cedar Point continued expanding in 1966 when the Pirate Ride was moved to the park.
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With all of these new rides and attractions, Cedar Point was entering a new era of growth and expansion.

1967 was a major year for Cedar Point, bringing several upgrades and the addition of a new area to the park.

In 1967, Cedar Point made a major effort to expand ride capacity throughout the park. Mill Race received additional logs, while more cars were added to both the Turnpike Cars and Cadillac Cars attractions. The Sky Ride was upgraded from two-seat buckets to four-seat buckets, doubling the ride’s capacity. Western Cruise also received additional boats, and extra coaches were added to the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad.

The major new attraction for the 1967 season was Frontier Town, Cedar Point’s first themed area. The area featured Shoot the Rapids, a restaurant, a gift shop, a second train station, and the new Frontier Lift. The Funhouse was also added in 1967.

Frontier Town wasn’t the only area of Cedar Point to receive a new ride in 1967. On the Main Midway, near the Cadillac Cars, the park opened Cedar Downs Racing Derby.

The ride originally opened at Euclid Beach Park in Euclid, Ohio. Built in 1921 and originally named the Great American Racing Derby, it quickly became one of the park’s most popular attractions. At the time, it was considered one of the fastest carousels in the world. Only three of these rides were ever built, and two are known to still be operating today.

Euclid Beach Park was once a very popular amusement park, but it eventually declined because it failed to modernize. The park also faced heavy competition from nearby parks such as Geauga Lake and Chippewa Lake Park. Chippewa Lake Park ultimately closed in 1978 after it could no longer compete with Geauga Lake. Decades later, Geauga Lake’s amusement park section also closed in 2007 after 119 years of operation.

By the early 1960s, it had become clear that the park was struggling financially. Euclid Beach Park began downsizing its attractions, although it tried to keep its beloved carousel operating for as long as possible.

The unique racing carousel was sold to Cedar Point in 1965. Euclid Beach Park later closed permanently on September 28, 1969, and the park’s remaining assets were sold at auction.

The Great American Racing Derby closed in 1965 when the ride was sold to Cedar Point. It was dismantled and restored before being moved to the park. The ride was also repainted and given a new name, Cedar Downs Racing Derby, which helped make it a natural fit at Cedar Point.

Cedar Downs Racing Derby Ride Facts
Opened: 1921 at Euclid Beach Park
​                May 27, 1967, at Cedar Point
Built: 1921
Manufacturer: Prior and Church
Horses: 64
Cedar Downs Racing Derby is one of the fastest carousels in the world.

Cedar Downs Racing Derby reopened in 1967 on Cedar Point’s Main Midway, becoming the park’s second carousel.

Cedar Point gave the ride a prime location in the middle of the park’s famous Main Midway. It would be one of the last new rides added to the Main Midway until Demon Drop opened in 1983.

Cedar Downs was built in 1921 by Prior and Church. The ride is a Derby Racer–style carousel. Prior and Church built about 18 of these rides, and three are known to still be operating today.

On November 8, 1990, the Cedar Downs Racing Derby was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance.

Ride Experience 

The ride experience for Cedar Downs Racing Derby begins as guests enter the queue from the Main Midway at Cedar Point.

Riders choose their horses before boarding. The ride features 64 horses, each capable of holding two riders. There are no seat belts on the ride. With its large number of riders per cycle, Cedar Downs Racing Derby has the highest capacity of any carousel at Cedar Point.

Cedar Downs Racing Derby is a giant racing carousel. The ride begins with a soundtrack that recreates the excitement of a Kentucky Derby–style horse race, immersing guests in the action as the race begins.

Cedar Downs Racing Derby is one of the fastest carousels in the world, reaching speeds of about 14.5 miles per hour.

On Cedar Downs Racing Derby, the horses move back and forth as well as up and down. As the ride operates, the horses switch positions with one another, creating the sensation of a real race while the ride travels in a counterclockwise circle.

\Lasting about three minutes, Cedar Downs Racing Derby offers a fun and exciting experience that the entire family can enjoy together.

After the 1967 season, Cedar Point continued expanding its lineup of attractions to better balance the park’s offerings. In the years that followed, the park added: Lift (1968-1985), Sky Slide (1968-1991), Antique Cars (1969-2021), Cedar Creek Mine Ride (1969), Cedar Point’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (1970), Frontier Trail (1971), Jumbo Jet (1972-1978), Matterhorn (1972), Giant Wheel (1972), Cedar Point Cinema (1975-2001), Corkscrew (1976), Troika (1976), Witches’ Wheel (1977-2018), Gemini (1978), Gemini Chilrden’s Area (1979-2013), Wave Swinger (1979), WildCat (1979-2011), Oceana (1980), Ocean Motion (1981), Kid Arthur’s Court (1982-2005), White Water Landing (1982-2005), Demon Drop (1983-2009), Avalanche Run (1985-1989), Berenstain Bear Country (1985-1998), Thunder Canyon (1986), Iron Dragon (1987), Soak City Water Park (1988-2016), Magnum XL-200 (1989), Disaster Transport (1990-2012), Mean Streak (1991-2016), Challenge Park (1992-2016), Snake River Falls (1993-2024), Kiddy Kingdom (1993), Raptor (1994), Cedar Point’s 125th Anniversary Celebration (1995), RipCord (1996-2016), Mantis (1996-2014), Chaos (1997-2011), Swan Boats (1997-2003), Power Tower (1998), Camp Snoopy (1999), Millennium Force (2000), Lighthouse Point (2001), Wicked Twister (2002-2021), Good Time Theatre (2002-2014), Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021), Castaway Bay Resort (2004), maXair (2005), Skyhawk (2006), Maverick (2007), Planet Snoopy (2008), Shoot the Rapids (2010-2015), WindSeeker (2011), Dinosaurs Alive! On Adventure Island (2012-2018), GateKeeper (2013), New Gemini Midway (2014), Rougarou (2015), Valravn (2016), Cedar Point Shores Waterpark (2017), Steel Vengeance (2018), Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island (2019-2022), Cedar Point’s 150th Anniversary Celebration (2021), Snake River Expedition (2021-2023), The Boardwalk (2023), Top Thrill 2 (2024), and Siren’s Curse (2025)

Together, these new attractions have continued to give guests something new to experience at Cedar Point.

Cedar Downs Racing Derby remains a great ride for the entire family. In 2020, the historic carousel celebrated the 100th anniversary of its construction. More than a century later, its legacy continues to live on at Cedar Point.

Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the Cedar Downs Racing Derby.

Last Updated: 05/01/2026

Photos by; Jake Hamons, Russ Hauden, and Cedar Point.