Kent’s downtown carousel begins its sixth holiday season on Friday, Nov. 25.
The carousel will operate from 4-9 p.m. Nov. 25 at Town Square Plaza on the corner of Second Avenue and Harrison Street. The cost is a suggested $1 donation per ride.
After opening day, the hours are 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. “Bonus Days” will take advantage of the holiday school break with hours 4-8 p.m. Dec. 19-23, and noon to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Hours are subject to change during inclement weather.
Musical performances are planned to make the carousel both a destination and a continuing family tradition.
The classic Venetian-style carousel has 19 beautifully painted, carved horses and three special seats, designed by the famous Bertazzon Carousel Company of Italy. It is fully accessible.
In 2006, the Kent Parks Foundation invited the public to purchase the “naming rights” for individual carousel horses. These funds, along with donations from other sources, helped the foundation purchase the carousel, which was then given to the city of Kent.
The city of Kent is once again partnering with two non-profit organizations that will operate the carousel as a fundraiser. This season they are both from Kent-Meridian High School, the Filipino-American Club and the Volleyball Boosters Club. Proceeds raised from the suggested $1 donation per ride will support the two groups.
The Filipino-American Club is a service and cultural club that also helps non-Filipino students learn about Filipino heritage and language. Club members serve meals to the less fortunate and send boxes of donated items to the people of the Philippines in the wake of natural disasters there. Members learn to perform ethnic dances and they cook and sell ethnic Filipino food at the high school.
The Volleyball Boosters Club supports and promotes the Kent-Meridian volleyball program by uniting students, parents, coaches, and the community in a way that enhances school spirit, boosts morale, and offers financial support through fundraising and donations.
For more information, call 253-856-5110 or visit the city’s website at www.kentwa.gov.
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