Thousands of people in search of an escape from home-schooling, Zoom meetings, and quarantine fatigue were relegated to being on the outside looking in as they made their way to the beach this summer in St. Joseph, unable to venture through the doors to make happy memories at the Silver Beach Carousel. Making happy memories is what the Silver Beach Carousel does best. But because the popular destination has been temporarily closed since the outbreak of the pandemic in mid-March, it is taking a new spin on making the 2020 holidays happier. Happy smiles are coming directly into people’s homes with presents for all ages from the Brass Ring Gift Shop.
Open exclusively online at http://silverbeachcarousel.com/gift-shop, the Brass Ring offers an expanded selection of ideas that fit all budgets. To make gift-giving easier, online orders can be shipped directly to the buyer’s or recipient’s home for a small fee. Or, for no additional cost, presents can be picked up curbside at the Silver Beach Center, 333 Broad Street, St. Joseph, on Saturdays in December from noon to 2 pm. Shoppers are encouraged to shop early to ensure timely holiday deliveries and pickups.
Suz Schalon, President of the Silver Beach Carousel Society, tells us, “Carousel-related gifts and toys are not only fun to give, but they will make December a little brighter for the Carousel, too,” adding, “Proceeds from each purchase will help the Carousel pay its mounting bills since the mid-March closure.” Plus, if donors make financial gifts to the Carousel, which is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, their donations also will help offset this year’s income losses.
Gift hunters will find a variety of stocking stuffers and presents for children and adults on the Brass Ring web page. Babies and toddlers will be soothed by the rainmaker rattle and giggle at the colorful rolling unicorn toy. Older children will have fun assembling block animals, playing with the dinosaur puppet or locomotive and doing homework with the fluffy flamingo pen. They can make memories cuddling up with grandpa as he reads “How Noel (the Silver Beach Carousel horse) Saved Christmas” or playing with the shop’s other entertaining toys and activities.
For adults, the shop offers keepsake carousel ornaments, a carousel figure coloring book, jigsaw puzzle, and fascinating books about Silver Beach Amusement Park and the Carousel’s rounding boards. There are also two specially designed, Silver Beach Carousel “Keep Looking Up” face masks made with lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric. Plus, all ages will get hours of enjoyment from the Magical Memories Book that is chock full of coupons that can be used once the Carousel reopens.
A visit to the Brass Ring Gift Shop also helps support the “Shop Local” movement. If your shopping is complete, you can still help create happy memories for the future by donating to the Carousel at silverbeachcarousel.com or mailing a check to the Silver Beach Carousel, 333 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Silver Beach Carousel (circa 2010) features 48 beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted, unique figures and two chariots (one is wheelchair accessible), that whirl beneath 1,000 twinkling lights. Around the top of the carousel are 18 rounding boards that tell the area’s rich history. The Carousel House is temporarily closed due to Michigan’s COVID-19 restrictions. For more information, visit www.silverbeachcarousel.com, Facebook.com/silverbeachcarousel or call 269-932-1141.
