First observed on May 20th, 1950, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on third Saturday of May each year. It is dedicated to all military veterans who previously served. This day is distinctly separate from Memorial Day, which is dedicated to all who perished while in active service.
Among the many monuments in Lake Bluff Park, "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" is the only one dedicated to WWI soldiers. It was made from an original sculpture by Dick Viquesney, a talented sculptor and engraver. Dedicated on November 11, 1930, the figure depicts a soldier moving forward, grenade in hand with a rifle and bayonet in his other hand.
It has been called "..the most famous World War I memorial stature that few have ever heard of..." While there are dozens more around the United States, the statue in St. Joseph is one of only two in Michigan.
Whenever we view "The Doughboy", we are reminded of the brave men and women who serve our country with courage, strength and sacrifice.
Please note the Carousel will be closed May 16 for a private event. We’ll reopen Sunday, May 17 from Noon–5 PM 🎠
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back for rides this weekend!
The Silver Beach Center is honored to host Rotary International District 6360 attendees at their "DisCon at the Carousel" on May 15-16.
For more than 110 years, Rotary Club members have been creating positive change in communities around the world through service, leadership and fellowship. We salute Jackie Huie, District 6360 Governor and Rene Borah, President of the host club, Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor for your leadership and thank you for the opportunity to spotlight southwest Michigan through your event.
We also recognize the over 1.2 million Rotary members globally who truly "make a difference" through their work to eradicate polio and serve their communities.
We invite all attendees to find the "Rotary Raptor" on the Silver Beach Carousel during your visit for the ride of a lifetime!
Today we honor the heroes of our community who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. We are joining with our southwest Michigan neighbors for the annual Peace Officer Memorial Service to honor fallen law enforcement members from Berrien County.
🗓️When: Friday, May 15 at 12:00 PM
📍Where: Berrien County Law Enforcement Memorial Monument (Lake Boulevard, across from the Krasl Art Center)
At the Silver Beach Carousel, we are proud to spotlight "Integrity," the St. Joseph Police Department horse, standing tall on the deck as a year-round tribute to our brave men and women in blue.
Thank you to all police department members past and present — you are appreciated every day!
Silver Beach, the home of the Silver Beach Carousel, is in the running for the Best Beach in Michigan in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards! 🏖️
Remember you can cast your vote once per day until the poll closes on Monday, May 18, at 12:00 PM ET. The official top 10 winners will be revealed on May 27. Help us secure the #1 spot!
Cast your vote here at the link in our bio!
If you love Silver Beach as much as we do, share your favorite Silver Beach memory with us in the comments ⬇️
Get ready for a community tradition 120 years in the making! 🌸 The Grand Floral Parade is back this Saturday, May 9, and you’re invited to join the thousands of spectators for an afternoon of music, floats, and pure Blossomtime magic.
The celebration kicks off at 1:00 PM with nearly 100 units. Be sure to wave at "Splash," the Silver Beach Center mascot, as he makes his way down the street!
After the final float passes, head over to the Silver Beach Carousel to keep the festive vibes alive! 🎠 Take a spin on Blossom, our beautiful Blossomtime Horse. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a spectacular Saturday in St. Joseph.
Parade Time: Saturday, May 9 @ 1:00 PM
Carousel Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Whether you're a local or just a short drive away, Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph is the ultimate Michigan escape. Located close to the iconic Silver Beach Carousel, the massive Whirlpool Compass Fountain, and the perfect sunset views from the pier, it’s easy to see why this spot is a top contender for the Best Beach in Michigan.
Help us secure the #1 spot! 🗳️ You can cast your vote once per day until the poll closes on Monday, May 18 at 12:00 PM ET. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 27, when the official top 10 winners will be revealed.
/awards/silver-beach-county-park-st-joseph-michigan/
Berrien RESA & Silver Beach Center enjoyed bringing in dozens of book-reading children for today's Read & Ride event, bringing families together through early literacy, interactive story time, and hands-on experiences for children ages birth to 5.
From shared reading moments in the Shadowland Ballroom to a complimentary ride on the Silver Beach Carousel and fun times in the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone, it’s a collaborative effort creating meaningful experiences for local families while spotlighting the importance of reading!
We were absolutely thrilled to host the @blossomtime_festival Court this week! It's a highlight of the spring season for us when these outstanding young men and women stop by to share some smiles, sparkles and a few spins on the Silver Beach Carousel. We also acknowledge all the participants of the community pageants that support the Blossomtime spirit.
We loved seeing the court embrace the magic of the Carousel as a prelude to this week's grand finale – the 120th Blossomtime Parade!
Don't Miss the Fun:
* The 120th Grand Floral Parade: You're invited to join the thousands of enthusiastic spectators lining the streets this Saturday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. for the spectacular annual celebration with bands, floats and specialty units. And be sure to wave when "Splash," the Silver Beach Center mascot rides by!
* Take a spin on our Blossomtime Horse: After the parade, head down to the Carousel for a special ride on Blossom, our Blossomtime Horse. We're open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Celebrate Mom with TWO magical rides!🎠✨
On Saturday, May 9, hop on the FREE @swmichigan Mother's Day Weekend Trolley. It's the perfect way to explore St. Joseph and Stevensville while enjoying the Blossomtime Parade which kicks off at 1 PM in St. Joseph, the Mother's Day Market in Stevensville from 10 AM to 4 PM, and, of course, the Silver Beach Carousel!
🚎 Ride the trolley between 10 AM and 5 PM.
🎠 Hop off to visit us for a spin on your favorite Carousel figure. (Open from 12PM-5PM).
Check out the full trolley route and schedule here: /trolley
We can't wait to see you and Mom at the Carousel this weekend!
Each year, the Kentucky Derby showcases beautiful horses and roses and we’ve had our own rose-covered beauty since the day we opened.
Meet Stargazer 🌹 While she may not run as fast as a Derby horse, she still provides a thrilling ride.
We’ll look forward to seeing you soon.
