NEDERLAND — The Carousel of Happiness serves as Nederland’s most special and unique attraction; a true wonder, with a story unparalleled, whose music signifies something different within each of us upon hearing it. 

The emotions that Scott Harrison’s creation elicits is nothing more than magic, and that magic lives within each of the hand-carved animals, within the wooden planks, the turning gears, the blaring pipes of the organ. All who visit and ride the carousel add just a bit more magic, their smile preserved by this amazing conduit of merriment. 

Scott Harrison, founder of the Carousel of Happiness, dedicated the great landmark to Paul Christmas and Christian Langenfeld, Harrison's fellow marines in the Vietnam War.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

“It’s the heart of Nederland,” one resident said about the Carousel of Happiness, upon witnessing the Memorial Day Silent Ride Ceremony. Such a sentiment could not be more true. 

On Monday, May 25, 2026, a special ceremony was held for residents of the Peak to Peak area to share stories about their loved ones who served in America’s armed forces and who have passed away, to honor their memories, to thank them, and to remember them. 

“We opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2010 and we dedicated the Carousel to a couple of my friends who died in the Vietnam War,” Harrison said, speaking the names of Paul Christmas and Christian Langenfeld, who he served with in the same U.S. Marines machine gun squad. 

“I remember them to remember all veterans who have died,” Harrison said to the crowd. “And as hard as it is, I hope that you can say a person's name, which keeps them alive, and tell a story about that person. Then we’ll all ride the carousel together, because we remember people in sadness but we also remember people with joy in our hearts.” 

Service member Sean Appleby performed “Taps,” before the microphone was then passed amongst the audience, allowing residents to speak the names of those they lost and receive flowers from two young volunteers, Alma and Tallulah. 

Illia and Kostya, two soldiers from Ukraine, were present for the Memorial Day event and shared the names of their fellow soldiers who died tragically in combat. Illia and Kostya were traveling through Colorado on a rafting trip with the non-profit humanitarian organization Limbs For Liberty. 

Ukrainian soldiers Illia and Kostya visited the Carousel along with the Colorado-based humanitarian group Limbs For Liberty.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Limbs For Liberty not only delivers humanitarian supplies to communities in Ukraine, but also hosts mentorship and connection-based programs —including adaptive sports experiences— where soldiers who have been injured in combat may find mental and physical healing. 

After all had spoken the names of their loved ones and shared their stories of heroism, the Carousel was spun with the seats on the wooden animals left "empty” and the pipes of the old Wurlitzer quiet in a moment of thoughtful silence. 

“I do want to reiterate that, while naturally we remember our friends and fellow warriors in sadness, we need to always remember the joyous part of each person, the humorous part of each person who passed, because they are so much more than a sad situation,” Harrison said.  

Harrison shared a story about Paul Christmas and how, as Harrison was begrudgingly leaving camp to return for his second-in-a-row shift at a front-line listening post, Christmas —who was not selected for listening post duty— ran up to him and said, “hey, it’s not so bad, here’s my fruit cocktail!” 

The cup of fruit cocktail was the most precious and coveted item in a soldier’s rations, and the gesture by Christmas shined a light of happiness upon Harrison, putting a smile on his face, despite the perilous duty in front of him. 

With that story, veterans, their close family and loved ones, and the flower girls were all invited to ride the carousel together, this time with the Wurlitzer playing. The sound of the organ emitted a light on all those present, creating smiles —the heart of Nederland was beating as strong and healthy as always, circulating its amazing magic.