Information
Landmark: Gesa Carousel of DreamsCity: Kennewick
Country: USA Washington
Continent: North America
Gesa Carousel of Dreams, Kennewick, USA Washington, North America
Overview
In Kennewick, Washington, the Gesa Carousel of Dreams blends gleaming artistry, hometown pride, and lively fun, making it a beloved piece of local history, besides it’s more than a carousel-it’s a carefully restored piece of Americana, proof of the Tri-Cities’ commitment to preserving history while giving visitors of every age the delight of painted horses gliding under a canopy of warm lights.The Gesa Carousel of Dreams first came to life in 1910 as a classic wooden ride, its horses carved by Charles Carmel, a master craftsman celebrated across the early 20th century, in conjunction with carmel earned a reputation for his exquisite, finely detailed woodwork, crafting some of the nation’s most picturesque carousel horses and figures, their painted manes seeming to ripple in motion.The carousel first spun to life at Silver Beach Amusement Park in St, in turn joseph, Michigan, its painted horses carrying laughing visitors for over sixty years.Silver Beach Amusement Park shut its gates in 1972, and the carousel was sold off, later turning up in Roswell, contemporary Mexico, where it sat gathering dust and hidden from visitors for years, simultaneously in 2002, a handful of passionate locals from the Tri-Cities stumbled upon the antique carousel-its wooden horses chipped and dusty-and set out on a bold mission to restore it and bring it home.Local leaders and carousel enthusiasts like Ken Johanning and Phil Slusser led the charge to restore and move the heritage ride, its paint still smelling faintly of fresh varnish, therefore restoring the carousel turned into a huge, ten-year community effort, with neighbors pitching in for funds, skilled hands sanding faded wood, and volunteers showing up week after week.The aged wooden horses and carved figures had endured years of scuffs, cracks, and quiet neglect, not only that expert artisans brought each horse back to life, carefully preserving the delicate hand-carved patterns and the bold, sun-warmed colors that defined Carmel’s style, roughly Local organizations poured in strong financial support for the restoration, and Gesa Credit Union stepped up as the title sponsor, sealing the carousel’s future like the final brushstroke on a freshly painted horse, not only that working side by side, the community, volunteers, and sponsors turned a forgotten corner of history into Kennewick’s shining centerpiece, fresh paint still carrying the scent of renewal.The carousel features 44 hand-carved wooden horses, each with its own distinct design-polished manes, intricate saddles-capturing the charm and craftsmanship of Carmel, alternatively each horse carries a flowing mane, an expressive face, and a saddle etched with fine detail, the kind that makes you feel its story in the curve of the leather.Alongside the original horses, the carousel now features two nods to local pride-a sleek, carved Washington State University Cougar and a sturdy University of Washington Husky, their painted eyes luminous as they honor the region’s collegiate spirit and community ties, as well as the restored, safety-checked mechanism drives the horses and carved figures to rise and fall in a smooth rhythm as the platform turns, bringing back the early 20th‑century magic-paint gleaming, brass poles warm under your hand.The Gesa Carousel of Dreams sits inside the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick, just off Southridge Boulevard at 2901-F, as well as the spot sits within easy reach for both locals and visitors, folding the carousel into a lively park filled with chatter, picnic blankets, and open green space.Next to the carousel sits a 1,200‑square‑foot event center, its wide glass doors ready to open for anything from art shows to birthday parties, subsequently the event space holds up to 150 guests and often hosts birthday parties, weddings, corporate gatherings, and neighborhood celebrations, with the carousel’s radiant lights and painted horses adding a touch of magic to every occasion.At the carousel, visitors can buy ride tokens, with prices set so families and groups can join in easily-think a handful of sparkling coins clinking in your palm before the music starts, to boot one ride token costs $3, but if you buy a stack, you’ll get a discount.You can grab an all-day wristband for $15, and ride the carousel as many times as you want while it’s running, from the first tune to the last spin, in addition the carousel welcomes families and visitors of all ages, with seats low enough for toddlers and space for everyone to climb aboard easily.It offers a truly immersive experience, especially for kids who light up as they ride the gleaming, hand-painted horses, after that the venue’s fully wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy the carousel’s glowing lights and the nearby facilities without a hitch.The carousel runs seasonally, usually spinning to life on weekends-Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m, on top of that to 7 p.m, Sundays from noon to 5, with the music box falling silent Monday through Thursday except for occasional holiday openings.As you can see, Before you come, check in advance for any changes to the schedule or special events-like the evening lantern hike, what’s more since its grand opening in 2014, the Gesa Carousel of Dreams has grown into a beloved Tri-Cities landmark, drawing families with the warm scent of popcorn and the sparkling gleam of painted horses.Interestingly, Every year, thousands come-locals with coffee in hand, tourists snapping photos-and more than 1.5 million have taken the ride, in addition the carousel isn’t just for fun-it’s sparked real pride in the community, inspiring people to protect it like they would a cherished heritage oak in the town square, somewhat It’s proof of what people can do when they pour their hearts into preserving history-like restoring a faded historic sign-and finding ways to make it matter to today’s crowd, subsequently the site helps boost local education and cultural awareness, often becoming the heart of community life during festivals, parades, and history-and-arts programs, where the scent of popcorn drifts through the crowd.The Gesa Carousel of Dreams brings art, history, and community spirit together inside a lovingly restored carousel from the early 1900s, its hand‑painted horses gleaming under warm lights, along with it delivers a magical mix of nostalgia and wonder, leaving the Tri-Cities with a legacy that endures and a glowing thread tying it to America’s cultural heritage, like the warm glow of a neon sign on a summer night, in a sense Keeping this ancient carousel spinning and gleaming shows how much the community cares about its history, the joy of a summer ride, and the pride they take in their town.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-05
