Nederland, just 17 miles west of Boulder, retains a reputation for being a hippie town. Yesterday its new era as a happy town began when the Carousel of Happiness started to turn, the calliope started to play and the face of the community broke into a smile. Yesterday's grand opening brought praise for carousel creator Scott Harrison from national and Colorado carousel aficionado's organization officers and from the mayor, and from Harrison for all the individuals, foundations and local businesses whose generosity enabled him to finish a 25-year project.
The backstory is fantastic. In 1985, Scott Harrison, a Nederland resident, began carving and handpainting carousel animals, and a year later, bought and set about restoring the workings of an old merry-go-round that long ago graced the Saltair amusement park near Salt Lake City. Since then, with determination, inspiration and idealism, Harrison kept carving and painting animals, restoring the mechanism, and building an energy-smart, 12-sided structure to house it. Over the years, Harrison’s dream became Nederland’s dream. A cadre of dedicated local volunteers joined him to help the project along, investing sweat both equity and financial support.
Why a carousel? When Harrison was in Vietnam with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, his sister sent him small music box that played Chopin. It had a clear side so that the mechanism was visible while the music played. Coming back from patrols, the mechanism and the music were an antidote to what he had seen. The Vietnam vet has since sought to make the world a more peaceful place. In 1975, against all odds, he and his wife, Ellen Moore, founded and co-directed Amnesty International’s Urgent Action Network to respond to genocides and other human crises around the globe. It now has tens of thousands of members worldwide.
His efforts are now more community-focused. Nederland artist George Blevins, whose angels decorate the carousel house, says of his friend’s upbeat project, “The carousel is one more insane dream in a crazy world. Now let’s finish this and do world peace.”
When my husband and I attended a fundraiser foe the carousel, he bought $20 worth of raffle tickets and won a coveted first ride. With warm childhood memories of Connecticut carousels, I invoked spousal privilege and asked for the first ride. Here I am, in the blue cap, waiting for the first tide to commence.
The day made for one warm, wonderful party, with free entertainment by a local marimba band and free Italian sausages, hot dogs and popcorn. A Native American group came to chant, drum, dance and celebrate with Scott Harrison. Hundreds of people gathered around, greeting old friends and making new ones -- and drinking in the atmosphere of this handsome carousel and the grand opening festivities when west side of the Caribous Shopping Center, where the carousel is located, was turned into one big party area..
The Carousel of Happiness operates daily during the warm months, and sequestered in a well insulated, energy-efficient carousel house, it will operate in winter too -- at least on some/most weekends and holidays. Rides are just $1. Don't miss the great gift shop either.
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