Salem Riverfront Carousel Hosts Family Holiday Traditions (VIDEO)

The Carousel is OPEN Christmas Day and New Years Day: free rides with a canned food donation.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Traditions come in many forms, and this one goes around and around. The Salem Riverfront Carousel began hosting Santa and his reindeer 4 years ago, and it's a regular stop for him now. Arriving on the Santa Express every year the day after Thanksgiving, Santa then makes himself at home through Christmas Eve, greeting children and even taking a few rides around the carousel himself.

Kids and their families are invited to join Santa for breakfast up until Christmas, and they can even watch as the woodcarvers create more magical carousel horses.

The Carousel gift shop has been transformed into an endless array of sparkling ornaments on many "theme" Christmas trees. Ever year, the choices available in the gift shop make it even harder to decide on that one perfect gift, as there are so many to choose from.

An endowment campaign was kicked off in September to raise money for the future of the Carousel. That information went out to members in their annual newsletter, and they expect to build more security for the future, especially for the families whose holiday traditions include the Carousel.

Join us on our special tour through Salem's Riverfront Carousel this Christmas. Just a reminder, you still have time to ride- it's open Christmas Day and New Years Day, both free rides with a donation of canned food for the Marion Polk Food Bank.

WATCH THE VIDEO REPORT BELOW ON THE SALEM CAROUSEL WITH BONNIE KING OF SALEM-NEWS.COM.

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