Find Magic in Motion at Silver Beach Carousel Founders' Week!

 

Get ready for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious summer at the Silver Beach Carousel! From June 23-29, we're celebrating Founders' Week with a special tribute to local dream makers Louis Wallace and Logan Drake, who brought joy to St. Joseph with the opening of Silver Beach Amusement Park in 1891.

This year, the Carousel House is decked out with enchanting Disney décor, giant murals, and plush toys depicting your favorite movie characters. Memorable tunes will accompany your whirling ride on the carousel, making it a truly magical experience!

Founders' Week Daily Fun!

Founders' Week is packed with special daily events and giveaways that celebrate the visionaries whose amusement park helped inspire Disney. Join us for:

• Monday, June 23: Seniors Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• Seniors (65+) get one free ride on the Carousel.
• Enter to win a copy of "Silver Sands and Golden Memories: The History of Silver Beach Amusement Park St. Joseph" by Daryl Schlender, given away hourly from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Explore historical photographs, an original piece of the Shadowland Ballroom dance floor, the Carousel’s 18 rounding boards, and other memorabilia.
• Share your Silver Beach Amusement Park memories on our social media!

• Tuesday, June 24: Kiddies Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• Buy one token, get one free (up to three free tokens per adult purchase, Tuesday only).
• Enjoy free games and activities indoors and outdoors.
• Stop by the refreshment stand for tasty treats and drinks, and the gift shop for toys, books and souvenirs.

• Wednesday, June 25: A Spoonful of Sugar Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• Every hour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., two riders will each win a free tub of cotton candy.
• Watch the miniature electric train wind through a whimsical world of Disney scenes and play "I-Spy" to find your favorite characters.

• Thursday, June 26: Pop-ular Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• During every ride from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., one lucky rider will receive a coupon for a free bag of popcorn.
• Peek into the Shadowland Ballroom, named for the original dance hall from the Amusement Park era.

• Friday, June 27: Founders’ Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• Celebrate Logan Drake and Louis Wallace!
• Watch the Silver Beach Amusement Park diorama, hear the boisterous guffaws of Laffing Sal, learn what the future holds from the Great Danzini, and take photos in the restored Kiddyieland car.
• Hourly giveaways (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) of the fascinating WNIT PBS DVD, “A Legacy of Memories: Silver Beach Amusement Park.”

• Saturday, June 28: Christmas at the Carousel Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• It's Christmas in JUNE! Every hour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., we'll give away a copy of the heartwarming children’s book “How Noel Saved Christmas,” starring Noel, the Carousel’s beloved Christmas horse.
• The Brass Ring Gift Shop will be filled with early holiday shopping ideas.

• Sunday, June 29: Music Day (Noon – 5 p.m.)

• Enjoy the Carousel’s band organs playing the happiest music on earth, including favorite Disney hits, lively waltzes, and classic marching tunes.
• Learn more about the original Silver Beach Carousel’s restored band organ, which is over 100 years old!
• See a special display of historic voice records made by visitors to Silver Beach Amusement Park.
• Spotlight on the 77-year-old Municipal Band with historical photos and information on their iconic summer concert series.
• A short walk to the John E. N. Howard Bandshell along the bluff on Port Street for a free concert at 7 p.m., followed by a sunset stroll on St. Joseph’s South Pier.

A Nod to Disney's Inspiration

Did you know Walt Disney himself is said to have visited the original Silver Beach Amusement Park during its heyday? He loved the idea of the carousel's lifelike horses all being painted white, believing it helped riders choose their horses more quickly. This all-white horse tradition lives on today at Disneyland and Disney World!

The current Silver Beach Carousel, which opened in 2010, honors this legacy with six replicas of the original white horses among its 48 magnificent, hand-carved and hand-painted figures. We also have two beautifully crafted chariots, one with wheelchair accessibility, so everyone can enjoy a ride. You can even see two Charles Carmel-carved horses from the original 1910 carousel on display, alongside nostalgic Kiddyland rides.