Happy 100th to the Looff!

Last Saturday marked the kick-off of the 100th birthday anniversary countdown for our city’s Looff Carousel. Bribed with free cake and eager to get back into the swing of things, we decided to check it out. Beyond the oft repeated “fun facts,” a visit to the carousel (or carry-us-all) reveals a shining example of civic dedication and local pride.

We were greeted at the door by Tiny the Clown, busy entertaining kids with twisted up wiener dogs and hat balloons.

Nearby sat a friendly representative of the Washington State Quilters Spokane Chapter, diligently stitching away. The 2009 Spokane Quilt Show is themed “Carousel Centennial” and Spokane WSQ members are creating a commemorative grand raffle quilt called “Reaching for the Gold Ring”.

With all the TLC that goes into these figures, it is a wonder that the public is allowed to touch them at all! “Carousel Lady” Bette Largent has been lovingly maintaining and promoting our antique ride since ’91.

Having spent the last two weeks in South America as a tourist, we experienced a weird moment looking at all the Spokane souvenirs available in the Carousel Gift Shop. Everything from magnets to stickers, they had it all. When a troop of Mukogawa students swarmed into the viewing area, the knick-knackery  started to make more sense: Why wouldn’t people from all over the world want a piece of this local treasure? The carousel is like Spokane itself in that it is both lavish and simple. It’s persistence into the modern age seems baffling, yet no one could imagine the park without it. Replete with a feature rich website (don’t miss the online coloring book!), the carousel has weathered the fickleness of the 21st century and is here to stay.

The spare Looff goat used to fill in for horses undergoing repairs, however, is not. So go and meet Billy Bob while you still can!

The carousel is a classic date for any couple wondering what to do before the evenings activites on a lazy Spokane afternoon. It is also an inspiring spot to sit and read a novel, or write a letter to a friend.

With Auntie’s and 4 Season’s Coffee Company so nearby, it is easy to loose yourself in the old world charm of the city.