Ride Five Promotional Information
The Colorado Carousel Society, a not-for-profit organization established in
1983, is sponsoring a promotion to encourage residents to enjoy Colorado’s carousels this summer. Titled Ride 5, this is a great and inexpensive
opportunity for families and friends to have fun together and to learn about
some of the state’s treasures without spending a lot of money or gas.
At one time, thousands of hand-carved carousels operated in our country. Most
have been lost to fires and 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. Besides its six antique carousels, Colorado has
two contemporary hand-carved carousels (one of which is not yet operating, but
is available for visits), and four contemporary fiberglass reproductions.
Participants in Ride 5 will ride five carousels between May 30 and Labor Day,
September 7. Three of the carousels must be antique. Each participant will
present a coupon to the carousel operator, who will punch it with a special
punch to verify that the participant rode that carousel. Coupons will be
available at various outlets, such as carousels and web sites, including
www.coloradocarouselsociety.org.
Children and adults alike are welcome to participate in Ride 5, which will be
launched at Elitch Gardens on May 30. Participants who complete five qualified
rides may mail the punched coupon, postmarked by Sept. 15, to the Colorado
Carousel Society to be entered in a drawing for prizes.
Antique Carousels:
Hand-carved Contemporary Carousels:
(expected to be operational before close of 2009)
Reproduction Carousels: