Salem S Riverfront Carousel

501c3 NonProfit Organization. Amusement ride - handcrafted Carousel built by volunteers for the Salem community. Venue is great for all ages and budgets. Carousel rides, gift shop, party room, event venue, education, artistry & more! 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. And it did! Over the next 5 years volunteers from all over came to help hand carve and paint our horses and all the finite details to adorn the finished carousel. Families, individuals, businesses and friends poured out in financial support contributing to the build, growth and development of our project and programs, as well as sponsored or “adopted” each of the horses giving them each unique stories, names and design details. The Carousel opened to the public on June 2, 2001 and has been operating ever since by a dedicated staff and volunteer crew. At the 10th anniversary, the Carousel announced expansion plans to build an additional 12 animals to the herd - including a llama, giraffe, heifer, frog, duck, beaver, skunk, dragon, deer and more. And in 2019, the Carousel announced expansion plans for the New Dream: The Stables building to be a new home for a dedicated carving & painting studio, as well as offer space for continued educational programs and classes to our community. You can get involved! Find out more how you can support Salem’s Riverfront Carousel by visiting RIDE. SHOP. PARTY. GIVE!