The magic of the holiday season literally springs to life during two great events headed to the Silver Beach Carousel below the bluff in downtown St. Joseph.
The Carousel is bringing holiday stories to life during two Live Reindeer events, with the first scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, November 23rd. Tomorrow and again on December 20th, children can have the thrill of seeing a real reindeer up close and petting its warm, soft fur. Both reindeer events will take place in Santa’s Christmas Corral at the Shadowland Ballroom, across the indoor boardwalk from the Carousel, at 333 Broad Street, below the bluff.
The reindeer will visit:
- November 23rd from noon to 4 pm
- December 20th from 4 to 8 pm, during “Oh Deer Rudolph” Family Fun Night
Admission:
- $1 for ages 3 and older; free for ages 2 and younger
Please take note that while a keepsake photo opportunity will be at hand, no personal photos will be allowed. A professional photographer will take photographs of children or families with the reindeer beginning at $3. Family and group photos are limited to six people, with an important reminder that no personal photos will be permitted on any device during the visit.
Carousel rides tomorrow are $3 each on Black Friday, and they will run just $1 each on December 20th.
Cash or credit cards ($5 minimum charge) will be accepted for admission and photos on each day of the reindeer visits.
Carousel management asks that you please plan to arrive at least an hour before closing. Additionally, should the reindeer get too tired, the Silver Beach Carousel reserves the right to close the photography and petting line based on the wait and the reindeers’ needs.
Suz Schalon is President of the Silver Beach Carousel Society. She tells us, “The Live Reindeer events are very popular. If you can, please bring an extra adult or teen along with you,” adding,“That way one of you can hold your spot in the reindeer line while the other takes the kids to play in the Carousel House until it’s your turn. We’ll also play holiday movies in the ballroom to help keep your spirits bright while you wait.”
Schalon says there will be a sleigh-full of activities to enjoy in the Carousel House. Families can ride the festively decorated Carousel while listening to the band organ play holiday music. She said many choose “Noel the Christmas Horse” this time of year. Other activities include watching electric trains wind their way through miniature holiday scenes, exploring the Silver Beach Amusement Park memorabilia and interactive displays and visiting The Brass Ring Gift Shop filled with gift ideas for children and adults.
For more information about the Live Reindeer events and the Carousel’s special holiday hours, you can visit silverbeachcarousel.com/events or on Facebook.com/silverbeachcarousel, or call (269) 932-1141.
Silver Beach Carousel (circa 2010) features 48 beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted, figures and two chariots (one of which is wheelchair accessible) whirling beneath 1,000 lights. Around the top of the Carousel are 18 rounding boards that tell the area’s rich history with computer-colorized, vintage photographs. This is believed to be the first carousel in the world to use photographs instead of paintings on its rounding boards. The Silver Beach Carousel is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and relies on the generosity of donors, sponsors and volunteers for its year-round operation.
Other family attractions within the Silver Beach Center are the Shadowland on Silver Beach ballroom and the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone hands-on children’s museum.
