The 2012 NCA Convention

Up and Down the Coasts

The NCA conference for 2012 was held in Silver Beach, Michigan. Here are some of the highlights!

Before the Convention Opening of the convention found Joan Parsons enjoying a non-Parker carousel ride. Technical Conference, Silver Beach Carousel, St. Joseph, MI Ken Kaszubowski opened the afternoon session of the Technical Day on the operations of the Silver Beach Carousel, including machine and building maintenance. A touch-screen computer system controls the ride and the music, alternating between the original band organ and the new Stinson organ that is in the center of the carousel The afternoon session took place in front of the carousel. The morning sessions covered marketing, volunteerism, and social media.

Opening Ceremony - Silver Beach Carousel, St. Joseph, MI A Brass Ring award was presented to the St. Joseph community leaders and the many volunteers, who didn't give up on the carousel project for the community and helped it become reality. The opening convention event at the Silver Beach Carousel featured lots of fun including face painting for adults. A live sculpture of a carousel carver intrigued the crowd including Paula Meyers. New members Kent and Anne Southworth were seen checking out the original bumper cars in the museum, which featured memorabilia of the original Silver Beach Amusement Park. John Frato and Rich Wickens related the history and current updates on the Euclid Beach project, including its new successes in Cleveland, Ohio.

Crossroads Village - 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel Charles Crawford, NCA Director, during an interview with the media at the Parker carousel. After carousel rides many took the paddle wheel boat ride or enjoyed rides on the only Parker Wheel in operation.

Greenfield Village - 1913 Herschell-Spillman Carousel The hop toad sports a grin for the crowd at Dearborn Village. The experience was a step back in time to the period of the Golden Age of Carousels.

Brookfield Zoo - 2006 Carousel Works Carousel Everything comes in a large size at the Brookfield Zoo, even the animated bug that greeted all the convention attendees. The Brookfield Zoo Carousel was at the center of the plaza upon our arrival at the zoo.

Sanfilippo Foundation - Place de la Musique 1890 Eden Palais Carousel The crowd waits in anticipation of the large theatre organ and the silent movie showing. Dinner was served in the shadow of the Grand Eden Palais Carousel. Bill and Rita Sharkey cuddle up in one of the rocking chariots as the rides began on Eden Palais Carousel. This carousel, including the spinning chariots aboard the undulating track machine were beautifully restored and gold leafed.

Grand Rapids 1928 Spillman Carousel All the carousel fans were busy snapping photos of the restored Spillman machine in the Grand Rapids Museum. Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan The sculpture gardens included statuary of the benefactors at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Jo Summit is spotted during the tour, which included this horse at the Mejier Sculpture Gardens. This was the largest horse seen by our conventioneers!

Holland - Windmill Island - DeBoer Brothers Carousel 1908 Restoration has begun at the Windmill Island DeBoer Carousel, which is owned by Holland, Michigan. Banquet and Auction - Silver Beach Center Saturday night's event began with a stop by the Round-About-Faire displays, such as Irene Palanchi's table of carousel themed products. Rol Summit surprises the crowd when he joins with the St. Joseph quartet to serenade the group before the annual auction begins.

Eden Springs Park (Mary's City of David) - Sunday, September 23

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The General Meeting on Sunday Morning was held in the original train depot of the former Eden Springs Amusement Park. The park and camp grounds are currently being restored, beginning with a new addition of a mid-century carousel and the return of one of the original miniature steam trains.

Everyone had a chance to enjoy a train ride through the ghostly grounds of the former amusement park in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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