So far as we know there are no official records to indicate how many riders climbed aboard their favorite carousel horse at the original Silver Beach Carousel on the shores of Lake Michigan over the yearsd, but ever since the modern day version was built in the community they’ve been counting riders, and even they might not have suspected that they could achieve the remarkable milestone of a million riders in just over seven years time.
It was late morning last Friday, July 28, 2017 when 11-year old Ayana Harris of St. Joseph dropped her magical ride token into the fare box at the turnstile gateway and she likely had no idea that the boisterous hubbub that ensued was etching her name into the history books as the one-millionth rider of the Silver Beach Carousel that day.
That’s one-million eager riders of every size, gender, age, nationality and more, and how perfectly fitting that — even in the heart of the summer season when the community is packed from one end of the beach to the other with people from practically every state in the union and multiple foreign nations — it was a St. Joe resident who would claim the honor. The Carousel first opened for business in January of 2010.
Gus Damaske is Vice President of the Silver Beach Carousel Society — the non-profit organization that manages the Carousel operations — and he was ecstatic, saying, “What a thrilling moment for the Carousel.” He added, “We are grateful to all the riders who chose to ride and made a million rides possible in just over seven years.” He said that ridership at the popular year-around destination has increased since opening and that it was just two years ago that they marked their 750,000th rider.
Ayana, a St. Joseph resident, had come to spend the day with her family at Lake Michigan’s Silver Beach County Park just yards from the Carousel. She is a frequent rider but never has she attracted such attention. Ayana chose to take the millionth ride on “Sparty,” the Michigan State University-themed horse figure because, as she puts it, “It’s pretty.” Watching her take her milestone ride was the Carousel’s first rider, Marcie Schalon, who is one of the major champions and sponsors who made the Carousel a reality.
Ayana was awarded free rides all day for her family, a prize package and a chance to announce the next Carousel ride and to ring the bell before it spun into motion. Ayana’s mother, Jillian, says, “We come here often.” She adds, “It’s such a family-friendly place.” Friday’s ride, however, will be one Ayana will never forget.
Silver Beach Carousel features 48 beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted, unique figures and two chariots (one of which is wheelchair accessible), that whirl beneath 1,000 twinkling lights. Around the top of the carousel are 18 rounding boards that tell the area’s rich history with computer-colorized, vintage photographs. This Carousel is believed to be the first in the world to use photographs instead of paintings on its rounding boards.
The Carousel House is also home to the Brass Ring Gift Shop where visitors can purchase historical books, ornaments featuring carousel figures, toys and many other keepsakes. Also on site are Silver Beach Amusement Park interactive displays, memorabilia and a diorama model of the park that closed in 1971. Visitors can enjoy board games, children’s activities, an electric miniature train layout and concessions. Other attractions within Silver Beach Center are the Shadowland on Silver Beach ballroom and Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone. You can visit www.silverbeachcarousel.com or call 269-932-1141 for hours and more information.
Shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com are both the Silver Beach Carousel’s first ever rider, Marcie Schalon (left), who was on hand to celebrate and the Carousel’s millionth rider, Ayana Harris (right). She chose “Sparty,” the Michigan State University figure, for the milestone spin on July 28th.
