ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – The Silver Beach Carousel will reopen on July 23 with a new reservation system in place to maintain safety standards for riders.

This new system requires riders and Carousel visitors to sign up in advance for one of four, one-hour time slots on Friday and Saturday of each week.

"During your reserved time, you will be able to ride the Carousel as often as you can board," Suz Schalon, president of the Silver Beach Carousel Society, said. "By limiting the number of guests at the Carousel during each time slot, it will be easier for you to enjoy the other displays, the Silver Beach Amusement Park Museum and the Brass Ring Gift Shop."

Between each session, volunteers will spend half an hour cleaning and disinfecting the Carousel and Carousel House before the next group arrives, Schalon said.

Reservations can be made online for $8 per party member. Each person in a group ages three and up will need a purchased ticket, including non-riders.

Time slots will be:

• 11 a.m. to noon
• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

No walk-in riders will be accepted but if a time slot is open, passersby can sign up online to enter the Carousel.

Click here to make a reservation.

Because a large group of the Carousel’s visitors are children who haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine yet, those over the age of three are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

Disposable masks, sold for $1 cash only, and cloth masks, $10, will be sold at the gift shop.

The gift shop and refreshment stand will be open during operating hours.

Many improvements were made to the Carousel during its closure, including touch-ups on Carousel figures and displays, the addition of new decorations, and the rebalancing of the Carousel for a smoother ride.

“The horses and other figures have spoken and they miss the riders. We do, too,” Schalon said. “We love helping families and visitors make memories as much as they love making them. The riders are going to be smiling and we are, too — even if we have our masks on.”