DENVER—
Ride five carousels, win some prizes. That is the idea behind this summer's Ride 5 program sponsored by the Colorado Carousel Society. But it's not as easy as it sounds."At one time, thousands of hand-carved carousels operated in our country," says artist Will Morton, carousel conservationist, restorer and carver, and a founder of the Colorado Carousel Society. "Most have been lost to fires or other disasters, or their figures have been sold to collectors. Fewer than 160 of the historic ones remain, and Colorado is fortunate to have six of them."
The program is easy to join. Visit Elitch Gardens or go to the Carousel Society's website, www.coloradocarouselsociety.org, and get a punch card. Every time you ride a carousel in Colorado, ask the operator to punch your card. Once you have ridden five carousels and at least three of them are antiques, mail your punch card to the address below by September 15th.
The prizes for the drawing are being donated by carousels, amusement parks, area businesses, organizations, and individuals.
One lucky winner will receive a "First Ride Golden Ticket" for the inaugural spin of the Carousel of Happiness. Other prizes include luggage, Avalanche tickets, a massage, T-shirts, admission to amusement facilities and carousels, Jump City tickets and a Tattered Cover book token.
Colorado Carousel Society P.O. Box 21483
Denver, CO 80221
Colorado carousels and their locations include:
· Antique : 1905 PTC, Kit Carson County Carousel, Burlington; 1908 Parker/mix, Lakeside Amusement Park, Denver; 1911 Parker/Stein & Goldstein, Pueblo City Park, Pueblo; 1920 Herschell Spillman, North Pole, Cascade; 1925 Allen Herschell, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs; 1928 PTC, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Denver.
· Hand-carved contemporary: 2000 Carousel Works, Denver Zoo; 2009 Scott Harrison, Carousel of Happiness (on 1911 Looff frame) Nederland, under construction, available for weekend tours by reservation.
· Reproduction fiberglass: Fish 'n Farm, Heritage Square, Golden; Royal Gorge Bridge, Canon City; Colorado Mills Mall, Lakewood.
