Spinning into summer

Coeur d'Alene Carousel returns to seasonal hours, now open seven days a week

COEUR d’ALENE — The brass bell clanged, staff member Mamie Johnson let out a "Yee haw!" and the fun began.

Calliope music swirled throughout the Coeur d'Alene Carousel rotunda and around siblings Roux, Juju and Peri Doalson, who laughed as they rode the antique ponies for their first time on Monday. They were on a bike ride and happened upon the carousel the first day it returned to summer hours.

"We discovered it and made this our destination," said their mom, Mika Doalson. "It’s so unique."

The family recently moved to Coeur d'Alene and is still exploring everything the Lake City has to offer. Finding the Coeur d'Alene Carousel was a pleasant surprise.

“I loved it, it was so much fun,” said Roux, 8, who was determined to snag a brass ring from the ring chute for a free ride.

“It’s not a normal carousel," she said. "It’s very old and historical and they make it even funner with the ring toss. You try to get the gold ring and throw it in.”

Juju, 7, made funny faces as he passed his mom.

"This was the funnest one we went on, and the fastest one," he said. "That’s why it was so fun."

And Peri, 5, giggled with delight as she went round and round on a white and gray pony.

"I like how high they giddy-up!" she exclaimed.

The Coeur d'Alene Carousel opened weekends in May, but is now officially open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays through September, when it will go back to weekends only.

As of early Monday afternoon, more than 40 riders had taken a turn on the antique ponies and chariots.

“Saturday was really busy," said carousel employee Kyia Baldwin. "We had 103 people come in. It was crazy."

The 1922 antique Coeur d'Alene Carousel, which is owned and operated by the nonprofit Coeur d'Alene Carousel Foundation, is practicing social distancing protocol and keeping up on frequent cleaning per the COVID-19 crisis.

“We sanitize every kid when they come in with hand sanitizer," Baldwin said. "We want to be sure everyone’s clean. And we wipe down all the bars."

Johnson, who is in her third year working at the carousel, said the rings that the kids pull from the chute are cleaned before they're returned to the mix. She let out another "Yee haw!" as the Doalson children went for a third spin.

“I just love being around people, and to goof off with the kids," she said with a smile.

Mika said she loves the enthusiasm of the carousel staff members and how proud they are to share the history and stories behind the old Playland Pier carousel.

"We fall more in love with this town every day we discover something new," she said. "This was just like finding another little gem that makes it unique."

Amy Murillo brought her little guy Gavin Martin, 4, to the carousel for a few rides. He enjoys riding in the chariots, "and the horse," he said shyly.

"This is just one of our favorite parts to come to," Murillo said. "We love going here. We go to the beach and build sand castles. There’s a lot to do, it’s very community oriented. We have a lot of fun here."

The Coeur d'Alene Carousel is housed in a bright yellow building in Memorial Plaza at 439 W. Fort Grounds Drive. Rides are $2; children smaller than 42 inches ride with an accompanying adult, just one token for both. Tokens are purchased from a token machine which takes credit/debit cards or exact change.

"Parents smile when they see their kids laughing and all happy with the ring toss," Baldwin said. "It’s always a happy vibe in here."