Be among the first to see and touch the new Police and Fire Department Horses for the Silver Beach Carousel set to open in the fall of 2008. The hand-carved and hand-painted full-sized horses will be unveiled with full fanfare during the SMSO's 4th of July concert at the Shadowland Pavilion.

Before the concert begins, Donny Blakley, an experienced carver from Carousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio, will demonstrate how a magnificent horse springs to life from a block of wood with a live carving demonstration. Kate Blakley, Donny's wife and Marketing Vice President for Carousel Works, will have several finished figures on display for the new Silver Beach carousel.

Click Here to view the progress of the figures

During the program, full honors will be paid to the decades of service by our own Firefighters and Police Officers as their horses are revealed with a symphonic salute. Also in attendance will be Kevin Lours (St. Joseph Fire Chief) and Mark Clap (St. Joseph Police Chief). Since these horses are being sponsored by the greater community, symphony goers and the general public will have a chance to financially contribute to these unique carousel figures during the evening and throughout the summer. To date, $1,500 of the $12,000 sponsorship goal has been raised for the two horses.

The Silver Beach Carousel Society is coordinating sponsorships for the new carousel and promoting the new development below the bluff through its Silver Beach Museum running through September of 2007. Please visit our FREE museum showcasing the history of Silver Beach Amusement Park, along with historical police and fire memorabilia. Located across from the train station and next to Fernwood's Butterfly House on Silver Beach, the Silver Beach Museum is open daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm. For more information, please call 269-985-0090.

SMSO Symphony Orchestra

Back to the Calendar