A nonprofit arts & culture organization  •  Nederland, CO  •  303.258.3457

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Support the Carousel with your Colorado Tax Refund

Starting this year, Colorado taxpayers will be able to designate the Carousel of Happiness to receive a portion of their state income tax refund. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it allows you to support what matters to you! To make a donation to the Carousel of Happiness, you will need to enter our name and CCSA registration number, #20083006569, on your Colorado Tax Form 0104. Learn more about this new program supporting our state’s nonprofit organizations by visiting ReFUND Colorado. 

Santa at the Carousel – Dec. 22

Spend your holiday break with us! The Carousel will be open every day through Jan. 6, except for Christmas Day. And we’re expecting a visit from Santa on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 12 to 2 pm. Bring your Christmas lists and enjoy a ride on our Christmas carousel!

Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day – Dec. 8

Come dressed as a time traveler and celebrate this fun holiday at the Carousel on Sunday, Dec. 8th! Take a time traveler photo with one of your favorite Carousel animals and tag us on social media. We will randomly select a winner to receive a special Carousel surprise! Looking forward to celebrating Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day with you!    

Support the Carousel on Colorado Gives Day – Dec. 10

Help us raise $15,000 to go toward sustaining carousel operations and sharing happiness for many years to come! Colorado Gives Day offers an easy and secure way to support your favorite nonprofits online. And the funds are boosted by the Colorado First Foundation so your donation goes even further! To donate, visit www.coloradogives.org/CarouselofHappiness to support the Carousel on this widely celebrated day of philanthropy. No need to wait until Dec. 10 either, as donations can also be scheduled early.  Your …

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Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

The Carousel will be open daily from 11 am to 6 pm for the Thanksgiving school holiday again this year, allowing area families with children out of school to enjoy their days off at the Carousel of Happiness. We are normally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter, but we make an exception for school holiday breaks. That means we will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 25-27, as well as Friday, Nov. 29, to help make the …

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Veterans Day – Veterans Ride Free

Come Take A Spin & Be Grateful on Veterans Day at The Carousel of Happiness – Veterans Ride Free – Monday November 11, 2019…Hours 11AM-6PM And Boulder Canyon Is Open All Day‼️

Carousel of Spookiness

Trick-or-treaters! Join us on Oct. 31, Halloween night for $2 spooky rides and trick or treat surprises from 4-7 pm. We’ll also be offering hot dogs from 5-7 pm for a donation to the carousel. Our animals will be in costume starting Oct. 24, so be sure to make the Carousel of Happiness part of your Halloween plans. 

Animals After Dark Gala: Sept. 7, 7-10 pm at the Carousel

Join us Saturday, Sept. 7th for an evening of fun, friendship and philanthropy!   The celebration begins @ 7 pm, and includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks, live music by The Gael, and a live auction starting @ 8:30 pm. Come dressed to impress — it’s a Ned-style Black Tie. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE Advance Tickets: $45 per individual or $75 per couple At the door: $50 each The ONLINE AUCTION IS NOW LIVE for local as well as remote supporters of the carousel. We …

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Carousel Joins King Soopers’ Rewards Program

The Carousel is thrilled to have been accepted as a participant in the King Soopers Community Rewards Program! King Soopers has dedicated more than $2.5 million per quarter for participating registered nonprofits. Now you can support the carousel while buying groceries! ☺️ To use the King Soopers Community Rewards Program: 1. Log into your King Soopers or City Market account*       For King Soopers – go to http://www.kingsoopers.com/       For City Market – go to http://www.citymarket.com/  2. …

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Boulder County Kids 25th Anniversary Party

On Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Boulder County Kids will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the Carousel of Happiness!  Stop in for cake, door prizes and free rides to celebrate this fantastic quarterly guide for children and families in Boulder County.

Carousel Voted Among Top 3 Places to Take Kids in Denver Area

The Carousel of Happiness has been voted one of the most favored places to take kids in the Denver area! We are thrilled to have been awarded a top spot in the recent Kids Out and About contest. Our visitors ranked us with top attractions such as the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Science. Click on the  link below to see the full list.  > See Kids Out and About Denver ranking

Private Filming Event – Saturday, June 22, 9-10 am

Help the Reel Inspired Media Film Crew as they capture footage of joyful faces riding the Carousel of Happiness for the upcoming documentary, Carving Joy, an Independent Film about Scott Harrison’s decades long journey to bring this amazing work of art to Nederland. **Please Note**All riders and guardians for minors will be required to sign a waiver, as footage may be used in the actual film, promotions and social media. Please RSVP to [email protected] if interested in attending this FREE …

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Save the Date: Animals After Dark Annual Gala

See the update at: https://www.carouselofhappiness.org/2019gala/ Save the Date for the “Animals After Dark” Annual Gala!  Saturday, Sept. 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Carousel of Happiness. Check back for more information as the event nears. Hope to see you there!

10th Annual Memorial Day Event

12 pm – 1 pm,  Monday, May 27, 2019 Each year we recognize veterans on Memorial Day in a unique way. Visitors are asked to remember a fallen veteran with his or her name, time of passing, and a meaningful story. A child gives a flower to each veteran and family member. Taps is played by Army Band member and Iraq War veteran, Dennis Kerr. Then we offer veterans and their families a ride on the carousel to remember veteran …

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Free Rides for Moms on Mother’s Day!

Moms ride free on Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 12!  Be sure to plan a trip to the Carousel of Happiness this Mother’s Day. Give Mom the gift of happiness with a free ride on her favorite animal!

Community Memorial Bench Dedication Ceremony

Sunday, April 28 6 pm – 8 pm Join us for an evening of celebrating memories and sharing stories while experiencing our Community Memorial Bench for the first time. Inspired by Brandon Bryk, the Community Memorial Bench is dedicated not only to him, but to all of those within our community who we have loved and lost. *Donations to our Community Memorial Bench Fund are greatly appreciated! To make a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/community-memorial-bench  

Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 20 11 am – 6 pm Take a spin on your favorite carousel animal as we celebrate Earth Day! Carousel animal coloring page activities and our puppet theater give your little ones the opportunity to express their creativity and make some new friends. Don’t delay joy!                  

Carousel Plans Ride Price Increase

The Carousel is planning to increase its price to $2 per ride, effective April 4, with the additional funds going toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the carousel in the community.  This will be the first time in nine years of operations that the non-profit organization has raised its price, even while administrative costs have risen steadily. We are particularly concerned about the potential need for costly repairs to our antique carousel and band organ, and are committed to developing …

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Annual Fundraiser & Live Auction – Sept. 22, 2018

  Purchase Tickets at the Door!   THE MUSIC:  ARWEN AND THE GAEL! We call our music Celtic/Eclectic and when our vocalist Arwen joined the group, she took it to a new level. Her songs range from Sheryl Crow and Loreena McKennitt, to an old Russian cabaret song, and some traditional Celtic songs as well.   Our new show is kind of like the Colorado weather: if you hear something you don’t like, the next tune will likely be different. There …

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Carousel Launches Storytelling Booth

“The Story Catcher” is a new program offering that allows visitors to share their own unique stories with family and friends in our professional quality sound booth. It’s a great idea for special occasions, or any day of the year! Tell your stories to the next generation so they won’t be forgotten — or ask your kids about their dreams for the future. Sing a song, read a poem, whatever you like! > Learn more

Vote for the Carousel!

The Carousel is moving ahead to Round #2 in First Western Trust’s #WealthIsAboutGrants Contest. The contest gives us a chance to win $7,000 for the Carousel of Happiness. But first, we have to get out the vote! You and your friends can vote for us once each day until Nov. 27. Click here to vote in favor of our mission to inspire happiness, well-being and service to others through stories and experiences:  https://fwt.wishpond.com/boulder/wealthisabout/  —and do it once every day for …

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Online Auction to Support the Carousel

We’ve made our Night at the Carousel Silent Auction available online!   Check out it out at  www.auctria.com/auction/NightAtTheCarousel. There is a Purple Ukulele donated by Brightwood Music. You could bid on adopting the Pig for 3 years. Then there are the horseback riding lessons, gift certificates to restaurants and services, and jewelry by local artists.  We’ll ship to you, (unless it says otherwise and if shipping is over $10, you’ll need to pay it) but it could be worth it!  

Black Tie: Night at the Carousel- Oct. 14, 2017

A Black Tie (Ned Style) Event to raise money for the Carousel of Happiness Saturday, October 14, 2017 7:00pm – 10:00pm Tickets – $35 Silent Auction, Wine & Beer, Appetizers! Purchase Tickets See You There! But…  if you can’t come you can still take part in our Online Auction live now! We will ship items to you if you can’t pick them up. (if it is over $10 you will need to pay shipping).  Bid on an item or buy outright using …

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Wild Earth Weekend 4/22 – 4/23

This weekend the Carousel of Happiness will be celebrating Wild Earth Weekend with our next door neighbor Wild Bear Nature Center. Once again, a portion of the proceeds from Carousel rides, all weekend, will go to Wild Bear to support their amazing programs. Get the whole schedule here.

Fundraiser & Reception for Eli & Zparkler

The Carousel of Happiness is celebrating that two of its most lovable celebrities have eloped!  Miss Zparkler, the alpaca and Eli Phant Jr., the elephant, were married at the Justice of the Peacetime sometime in June.   To mark the exciting occasion, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Al Paca and Mr. and Mrs. Eli Phant Sr. are inviting all to a Ned-style black tie reception and Carousel fundraiser at the Carousel of Happiness, Saturday, July 23, from 7 to 1 …

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7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony 5/29

The first official ride for the Carousel of Happiness, 7 years ago, was a silent ride in memory of 2 marines and an experience that would inspire Scott Harrison, U.S.M.C. (1966 – 1972) to create a menagerie of whimsical animals and restore a carousel for everyone to enjoy. Every year on Memorial Day the community of Nederland gathers, with Mr. Harrison, at the Carousel of Happiness to remember those who died serving in the armed forces around the world, in …

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A New Book! The Story of the Carousel

“Don’t Delay Joy, the story of the Carousel of Happiness” is the most in-depth narrative of the creation of the carousel yet published. The story starts in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1893 and continues to present day, introducing the key players who made the carousel happen: the designer, the engineer, the collector, the artist. Primarily you get to know the carver, visionary and primary mover behind the carousel, Scott Harrison. Told through poems, songs, stories and pictures, “Don’t Delay …

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REGULAR  HOURS

Summer Hours begin May 26! Open Every Day!

Monday:

11am to 5pm

Tuesday:

11am to 5pm

Wednesday:

11am to 5pm

Thursday:

11am to 5pm

Friday:

10am to 5pm

Saturday:

10am to 5pm

Sunday:

10am to 5pm

Last ride of the day at 4:45pm

Call (303) 258-3457 for more information

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Before you go, sign up for our e-newsletter for monthly updates, stories, and more…

We are a 501c3 Arts and Culture organization on a mission to promote happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.  Your donation today will keep us spinning for another year!