Carol Rowe, Nederland. “Don’t delay joy!”
With that thought in mind, the public is invited to join in the fifth birthday celebration of Nederland’s Carousel of Happiness, the whimsical, hand-built attraction that has won the hearts of people both young and old.
Visitors can stop by for a free slice of birthday cake and special games for kids from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24. As always, carousel rides are only $1.
A special Memorial Day commemoration is planned for May 25 from noon to 1 p.m. Veterans and those who wish to honor them are invited to witness the annual “Silent Spin” of the carousel, a reverent tribute to those who served. Veterans and their families also can ride free on Memorial Day.
The Carousel of Happiness opened to an adoring crowd on Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, the culmination of a 26-year-long carving and restoration project by Nederland resident Scott Harrison, whose Vietnam War experience inspired the project. Since then, more than 400,000 tickets have been sold to riders from around Colorado and the world.
The 105-year old Looff carousel, with its delightful, growing menagerie carved by Harrison—now numbering 70 animals—is located in the Nederland Shopping Center, next to The Train Cars on Colo. 119.
The carousel building also houses a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ, gift shop, children’s puppet theatre, and the “Somewhere Else” wall, another whimsical work of art created by Harrison in 2014. The exhibit presents a gateway to another dimension where the carousel animals can come and go when no one is watching.
Director Katrina Harms calls the carousel “a cure for what ails you.” “We have a rider who comes in pretty regularly, by himself, and says it is cheaper than therapy,” said Harms. “I love the people who come in, regulars, and say, ‘I NEED a ride.’”
“The Carousel of Happiness has become a regular stop for travelers along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway and brings visitors to Nederland from across the United States,” said Nederland Mayor Joe Gierlach. “It is inspiring to see this work of art—the realization of one man’s vision. The Town of Nederland is grateful to host such a gem.”
A new book about the history of the carousel written by Janette Keene Taylor will be released at the birthday celebration. Don’t Delay Joy – The Story of the Carousel of Happiness is richly illustrated with photographs and includes some of Harrison’s own writings.
The Carousel of Happiness is a non-profit, donor-funded organization dedicated to spreading joy to those who ride. The carousel supports children and people with special needs.
For more information, including hours of operation, call (303) 258-3457 or go to www. carouselofhappiness.org.
Opening day: The Carousel of Happiness opened May 29, 2010, in the Nederland Shopping Center. Since then, more than 400,000 ride tickets have been sold.
Visitor information: The carousel will be open seven days a week starting May 15. Summer hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Visit www.carouselofhappiness.org for the current schedule and other information.
Special occasions: The Carousel of Happiness has hosted two weddings and innumerable birthday celebrations and other special events. It has been named “a great place to go on a first date,” and Chelsey Devine-Blake and Mike Havill of Nederland recently became engaged while taking a spin. “As soon as we sat down on the bear bench together, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” said Devine-Blake, who is a member of the carousel’s volunteer Board of Directors.
National publicity: After Southwest Airlines published a story about the carousel in its inflight magazine in May 2014, visitors from across the country began flocking to the carousel asking to meet its creator. One rider told director Katrina Harms that she read the article on her way back to Chicago and then booked a flight back to Denver just to see the carousel.
Group visits: The carousel has hosted numerous senior citizen and other groups including the Boulder YMCA; Out and About Therapeutic Recreation; Support Inc. (a group for individuals with disabilities); Boulder Youth Services Initiative; Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver; Peak to Peak Rotary; East Boulder Baptist Church’s Deaf Ministry, and student groups from CU-Boulder and foreign universities.
“It’s so great how the actual carousel is accessible and the participants who utilize wheelchairs are able to ride with everyone else. Our large group can be loud and a little overwhelming for some venues, but the carousel staff are always smiling and appear to genuinely enjoy when we visit,” wrote staff members from Out & About Therapeutic Recreation.
Senior citizens: Seniors groups that have visited the carousel include the Sunrise Seniors, Flatirons Terrace Seniors, Frasier Meadows Seniors, City of Thornton Seniors, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (Aurora) Seniors, Fort Collins Senior Center, Parkwood Estates (Fort Collins), and Sunrise at Flatirons (Broomfield).
