Salem's Riverfront Carousel project was inspired by a trip Hazel Patton took in 1996 to visit family in Missoula, Montana. While there she went to see the first old-world style carousel built in the U.S. since the Great Depression. When Hazel rode the carousel, she knew it was more than the music and motion of the ornately carved and hand-painted horses that created magic in Missoula. The real beauty was how the carousel united the community by combining history with the creative talents of Missoula's citizens. She knew that the citizens of Salem could bring similar magic to the banks of the Willamette River. Each one is hand-carved and hand-painted! They even have demos you can watch.
The 45th hand-carved figure that joins the Carousel herd although not a horse, is making a big splash down at Riverfront Park. Guess what it is! Here are photos I took.
It is a beautiful carousel and it is in a large building so you can visit it year round.
You can even arrange to use the party room attached and have rides on it all the time!
The park setting can be viewed from all of the windows.
I enjoyed the experience!
Your photos are wonderful Rose. It would be fun to see it and ride on it. MaryLou
ReplyDeleteI would have if someone was with me to shoot for posterity!
DeleteSo colorful! Enjoy your photos. BJ
ReplyDeleteWHAT!?? No photos of you astride one of those steeds! Disappointed. Jim
ReplyDeleteDid not have anyone with me to do a photo shoot!
DeleteThese are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBarb
It is lovely I was told there is one somewhere in Albany, too!
DeleteThat looks wonderful. There is always something special about a carousel.
ReplyDeleteThey are so special and every child should have at least one ride in their lifetime.
DeleteIt is a wonderful carousel! I adore that sweet little pony!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I thought he was cute as well!!!
DeleteWow what an amazing carousel,love your pics,thankyou for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteI have always loved carousels since childhood. It is lovely!
DeleteBeautiful! Have you seen the carousel at the Living Desert in Palm Desert? It's has some spectacular animals on it, too. Nothing so special as a good carousel! Lynnette
ReplyDeleteI never knew there was a carousel in Palm Desert!
DeleteWhat a beautiful carousel! The carvings are so amazing - such detail. How wonderful to be able to rent this space for a special event or party. Lovely photos. x K
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty. The children there were so enjoying riding on it.
DeleteWhat a glorious piece. Love all the details. You capture this true piece of history so well. Happy Thanksgiving Rose.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kris
Thank you! Hope your holiday is wonderful.
DeleteThe photos are really nice and the Carousel is so beautiful all the carvers did a marvalous job and the painters as well. I hope you took a ride for me. I think the last one a rode was in Disneyland with you kids. It would be fun to ride one again. The music is to beautiful too. Love Mom
ReplyDeleteI might have ridden it if someone was there to shoot photos of this old lady going around in circles!!!
DeleteReally cool shots. Thanks for posting. Hope your thanksgiving was great. My was good. Stay warm. Carrol O.
ReplyDelete