The Heritage Carousel wants to say “THANK YOU” to all the volunteers who assisted with flood efforts at Union Park and around the greater Des Moines area. On Sunday, July 20th from 1-3 p.m there will be FREE carousel rides sponsored by Sammons Annuity Group.  The event will also offer lemonade, courtesy of Anderson Erickson Dairy and live music donated by Ecktotone, a folk and bluegrass group.  All volunteers and their families are invited to attend.  The public is encouraged to participate in the event.   Located directly across from the Des Moines River, Union Park was one of the central stations established by the City of Des Moines for sand bag production.  Red Cross and Salvation Army used it as an emergency evacuation and disaster relief center.  Many, many volunteers came to the park to assist with relief efforts and people used the park to view the rising river.  As a reminder of all the work, a pile of sandbags still remains in the parking lot until they can be relocated.  Children have accepted them as part of the park play equipment as they scamper over them daily.   The Heritage Carousel is a non-profit, turn of the century replica located in Union Park.   It is hand carved and hand painted and depicts beautiful scenes of Des Moines and the surrounding area.  It provides a beautiful and nostalgic form of entertainment for over 40,000 riders each season between May and September.  This year is its eleventh season of operation.   The Carousel was established in 1998 with contributions from a group of Des Moines businesspersons.  It continues to be supported through admissions, donations, special events and sponsorship.  The cost to ride the Carousel remains at 50 cents per child, $1 per adult.  There is no charge for an adult to stand next to a young child.   Regular season hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon – 7 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.  It is open on Mondays for holidays, parties and special events.   For more information on Heritage Carousel activities for the season, birthday parties or special events, sponsorship or volunteering, please call 515-323-8200 or go to www.heritagecarousel.org.

If you'd like, take a look at past spotlights

The inclusion of any organization or person in this database does not constitute a representation, warranty, or endorsement with respect to the competence, suitability, or reliability of such organization or person by United Way of Central Iowa; nor does United Way of Central Iowa sponsor or endorse any third-party web site. Legal Notices