Operations
Thanks to supporters like you, we are able to bring a fun and unique experience to the central Iowa community. Here is a glimpse into what our 2021 year looked like and we’re excited for what’s to come in 2023!
Our goal for 2023:
Host 60K riders!
To increase ridership and keep the cost of a ticket at 50 cents we need donors like YOU to help raise funds.
In 2021, we raised just over $60K to operate and support the Carousel. While we are proud of this accomplishment, the cost of running the Carousel and continuing to keep a child’s ticket at just 50 cents is an annual challenge.
To meet our goal for 2022, we need to raise $60K+ and to fully support the Carousel and continue to keep it accessible to all.
We are lucky to have the support of our community!
We’re proud to have given 46K+ rides in 2021 to all the children, families, and friends in our community! Because of donors and sponsors, we are able to keep the cost of a child’s ride at just 50 cents.
2021 Capital Campaign
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, we were able to make a number of physical upgrades and improvements to the Carousel in 2021, including scraping and repainting the pavilion roof, replacing and painting the soffits, adding a new storage cabinet with operator stand, and painting the fence around the Carousel. These updates will extend the life of the Carousel and pavilion for future generations of riders!
History of the Carousel
The Heritage Carousel was an idea conceived by Buz Brenton, a charter member of the Des Moines Carousel Foundation. The idea for the Carousel was to provide individuals and families with a wholesome, inexpensive and nostalgic form of entertainment. The first rides were taken in July of 1998.
Our Board & Volunteers
The Heritage Carousel is a 501C3 nonprofit overseen by the Des Moines Carousel Foundation. The all-volunteer board is made up of community supporters who are passionate about this wonderful Carousel. The continued operation for the past nineteen years has been an example of a successful relationship between a public municipality and a private foundation.
