The Morford Family Carousel will take its first spin 5-8 p.m. July 16.<\/p>\n
The city of Kent and the non-profit operating group had planned to open on July 14, as soon after Cornucopia Days as possible. But set-up, including a required electrical inspection, could not be guaranteed within such a tight window. Operating group organizer Wendy Gire from Girl Scout Troop 41104 also agreed it would be easier for key adults to have their orientation and training later in the week.<\/p>\n
The carousel will once again be at Town Square Plaza, located on the corner of Second Avenue and Harrison Street in downtown Kent through Aug. 22. Weekly hours (may vary) will be: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 5-8:30 p.m.; Fridays, 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the suggested $2 donation per ride will support Girl Scout Troop 41104. The troop members, who will be entering eighth grade next school year, are raising money for a trip to Savannah, Ga., the home of Girl Scouts, in the summer of 2011. Besides running the carousel, the scouts also will offer homemade crafts and other items for their fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n
The Morford Family Carousel is a 1940s classic, Venetian-style carousel with 19 painted, carved horses and three special seats, designed by the famous Bertazzon Carousel Company of Italy. In 2006, the Kent Parks Foundation invited the public to purchase the \u201cnaming rights\u201d for individual carousel horses. These funds, along with donations from other sources, helped the foundation purchase the carousel, which was then given to the City of Kent.<\/p>\n