LAKE PLACID -- As an Adirondack sunset streaked the late August sky, the Adirondack Carousel swept past an important mark.

Alex Glowa, 10, tugged at a green linen until it lifted to reveal the 12th carousel-creature chair, a snapping turtle carved in Missoula, Mont.

Alex's grandparents Ted and Marge Glowa are president of the carousel board and capital campaign chairwoman, having brought the project into a final year push toward completion.

"Snappy" moves the project past the halfway point, with 12 Adirondack Carousel wooden seats, mostly forest critters, complete, said project director Dylan Rodrigues.

"We're at the half point, it's a wonderful, wonderful moment."

The unveiling was held Saturday at the Whiteface Lodge clubhouse.

More than 100 supporters came out for a warm evening visit under the great hewn timber beams in copper lamplight.

The snapping turtle, carved in hundreds of volunteer hours by Rolf Tanburg and the Missoula Ponykeepers, spent a one-day trial run on a similar carousel out west, explained Sarah Greenwood, carousel spokeswoman.

"He fit perfectly," she said.

Snappy sports a golden saddle festooned with irises sprawled over his shell.

Thick, painted rope-fringe hangs under the saddle hiding a smaller critter apparently on for every carousel lap the turtle takes.

The wooden carving is detailed to the leathery leg scales and pointed beak agape with no teeth.

By way of introduction, the turtle stood stationary center as a carousel of curious supporters circled around.

Snappy is the fifth arrival in the past two months, and the winter season will bring many more unveilings, Greenwood said.

Project planning continues to target a spring 2009 preparation schedule for clearing William Morris Park off Broadway of old playground equipment and re-landscaping it.