Salem's Riverfront Carousel

Salem's Riverfront Carousel 501c3 NonProfit Organization. Amusement ride - handcrafted Carousel built by volunteers for the Salem community. Venue is great for all ages and budgets.
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Carousel rides, gift shop, party room, event venue, education, artistry & more! Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, a nonprofit organization (501.c.3 ID # 91-1815668), was handcrafted between 1995-2001 and is distinctly Oregon themed with various State symbols as part of its artistic attraction. All of the items, including the animals were and are ‘adopted’ with sponsorship and support from our local com

munity. We strive to keep the dream alive by embracing our global community, promoting tourism/volunteerism, providing cultural/educational opportunity/events/programming, and continuing business/agency partnering. Our goal remains to inspire creative living, community cohesiveness, cooperation, diversity, inclusion, imagination and fun, for generations to come! To help us Keep the Dream Alive, make a donation by visiting our website www.salemcarousel.org.

Last day of our Summer Ride Sale! Come by today 10am-6pm!! 🎠 10-rides passes are on sale for only $15!
08/29/2026

Last day of our Summer Ride Sale! Come by today 10am-6pm!! 🎠 10-rides passes are on sale for only $15!

Happy Hour today!! Guests will enjoy $1 rides from 5pm-6pm!
08/28/2026

Happy Hour today!! Guests will enjoy $1 rides from 5pm-6pm!

Check out the smile on the face of our very first passport holder to complete and collect over 42 stamps for riding over...
08/19/2026

Check out the smile on the face of our very first passport holder to complete and collect over 42 stamps for riding over 42 different animals on our carousel!! That proud smile says it all 😃🎠 For only $6, pick up the Carousel Rider's Passport in our Gift Gallery. After each ride of a different animal, visit the gift shop for a stamp in your passport. Collect 42 or more stamps in your passport and receive 5 FREE carousel rides! The passport is also a journal - write the date of each ride and some notes about what you loved about your day! These make great gifts and souvenirs.

Arrrrgggh Mateys! Mark ye calendars for Patch's Pirate Activity Day in celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate D...
08/15/2026

Arrrrgggh Mateys! Mark ye calendars for Patch's Pirate Activity Day in celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
🏴‍☠️🎠
Saturday September 19th
All visitors will enjoy free coloring pages (all day from 10am-5pm)

From 11am-2pm:
Guests can upgrade their visit with a Patch's Pirate Activity Pass - $15 pass includes:
*Large Goody Bag (pirate hat, patch, sword, and other goodies)
*Pirate art craft
*Popcorn
*3 Rides
Passes will be on sale only on the day of the event in our Gift Gallery. A limited number of passes will be available for purchase, while supplies last.
https://www.salemcarousel.org/upcomingevents

Huge thanks to our event sponsors Ezee Fiber Salem! https://ezeefiber.com/cities/or/salem/

Did you know that our very own Francis & Kate were based on a real love story?💞🫏🎠🌸One of our original Carousel artisans,...
08/13/2026

Did you know that our very own Francis & Kate were based on a real love story?
💞🫏🎠🌸
One of our original Carousel artisans, Frank Schomus, commemorated his late wife, Mary (Kate) by carving her in memory as the most beautiful mare on the Carousel and then carved a mule winking at her as they ride along together forever to symbolize their love for each other.

Their talented grandson, Josh Schomus, wrote a beautiful song to honor his late grandparents and their touching story.
🎶 🎼 🎵
https://suno.com/s/Q3HEOSgQ9Spu63wp
Grab a tissue... and enjoy!
"Together Forever" by Josh Schomus

LYRICS:
In June of ’96, heaven called Mary home,
After fifty-one sweet years, Frank was left alone.
Every room still held her laughter,
Every picture held her smile.
He prayed, “Lord, just show me how
To honor her awhile.”

One morning with his breakfast,
Coffee and the Statesman Journal News,
A story from Salem
Gave him something he could use.
A riverfront carousel
Was asking hearts to lend a hand.
He smiled and said, “Kate, I’ve found
The perfect way we’ve planned.”

Love never really leaves us,
It just finds another way.
Sometimes it’s carved in hardwood,
Sometimes it learns to stay.
Round and round through every season,
Their story still lives on.
Two hearts riding side by side,
Long after one is gone.

So in June of 2000,
He picked up carving tools.
Every careful stroke was guided
By the love that never moved.
He carved Kate, a snowy mare,
With her favorite flowers in bloom,
A quilted saddle blanket,
Like the ones she’d stitch at home.

Then Frank began to chuckle,
“She shouldn’t ride alone.”
So he carved himself a mule
To always bring her home.
With carpenter’s tools beside him,
A wide old braying grin,
And a playful little wink at Kate,
Still flirting once again

Before the crowds would gather,
Before the first ride spun,
Both were waiting side by side
For opening day to come.
In 2001 they took their place
Where they remain today,
Families gather and reminisce
Every year in the month of May

Love never really leaves us,
It just finds another way.
In flowers and a quilt of love,
Their memories still stay.
A white mare and a winking mule,
Forever side by side.
The prettiest filly on the carousel,
Still has her faithful guide.

Then in 2004, Frank closed his weary eyes.
I like to think that Kate was there
Beneath those golden skies.
She reached for him with outstretched hands, Just like she’d done before…
Now they’re riding off into the sunset,
In Heaven, Together evermore.

Happy National Happiness Happens Day!!! 😁 🎠 Did you know... Saturday August 8th is all about encouraging people around t...
08/08/2026

Happy National Happiness Happens Day!!! 😁 🎠 Did you know... Saturday August 8th is all about encouraging people around the world to recognize, celebrate, and share moments of joy, delight, and humor—no matter how small!?

And what way to bring a smile to your face by taking a ride on the carousel no matter your age! So, come on down to Salem's Riverfront Carousel and get happy! 🤗

Open from 10am-6pm. And, to make you even more happy, we are having a 10-rides pass sale!! That's right! Get 10-rides for only $15 each Saturday in August.

This weekend! ☀️🎉 Visit our neighbors at Gilbert House Childrens Museum on Saturday, August 8 or Sunday, August 9 and yo...
08/06/2026

This weekend! ☀️🎉 Visit our neighbors at Gilbert House Childrens Museum on Saturday, August 8 or Sunday, August 9 and your kiddos will receive a BOGO Carousel ticket!

Only available at this participating venue while supplies last. Redeem your BOGO ticket to the Carousel and receive one FREE ride when you purchase one Carousel ride.

Huge thanks to our friends Gilbert House Childrens Museum for their partnership!

🥵🔥☀️ Due to the local heat advisory and for the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors, we will be reducing our ho...
08/03/2026

🥵🔥☀️ Due to the local heat advisory and for the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors, we will be reducing our hours for the next few days.

Adjusted Open Hours:
Tues Aug 4: 10am-2pm
Wed Aug 5: 10am-2pm
Thur Aug 6: 10am-2pm

Stay tuned to our website and socials for any changes, or you can call 503-540-0374 to speak to one of our staff members during our open hours.

😍 Harriett taking in the morning sun ☀️🦒 We hope everyone has a great start to their week and can stay cool as the weath...
08/03/2026

😍 Harriett taking in the morning sun ☀️🦒 We hope everyone has a great start to their week and can stay cool as the weather heats up. 🔥

Stay tuned to our website and socials for any potential change in operating hours due to weather. If you’re planning a trip to Salem to visit us, call ahead to check on any potential closure before making the trip!

📞503-540-0374 available to take calls starting 10am each weekday.

📣Ride Sale!!!🎠 Every Saturday in August we will have our 10-rides passes on sale for only $15!! Get them while they're h...
07/31/2026

📣Ride Sale!!!🎠 Every Saturday in August we will have our 10-rides passes on sale for only $15!! Get them while they're hot!🔥 These make a great birthday or back-to-school gift, or just to stock up on rides for the rest of your summer.

Address

101 Front Street NE
Salem, OR
97301

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+15035400374

Website

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