Gala Will Benefit Carrousel

Carrousel and Corks will be featured Monday at Riverfront Park. The Carrousel, of course, is the park’s historic merry-go-round, and the corks, to no surprise, are those found in wine bottles.

The two favorites are being combined to help raise money to make music - band organ music - for the Carrousel.

Nearly half the $10,000 it’s estimated will cost to repair the Carrousel’s original band organ has already been raised, said Jackie Maier, special projects coordinator.

The music hasn’t been heard since 1984, but if things go right, it should be playing again by next season.

At Monday’s 8 p.m. gala, a $15 ticket will buy participants a wine glass to taste the wares of 15 wineries and a cider company while sampling hors d’oeurves. And, if you like what you taste, bottles can be bought to take home.

Carrousel and Corks is timed to coincide with National Carrousel Week, Maier said.

To commemorate the fund-raiser, a limited edition of a miniature, hand-carved Riverfront Park Carrousel horse will be unveiled. It’s the fourth in a series. And Jerry Reinhardt, a nationally recognized artist from Stilwell, Kan., will be on hand to sign them.

The horses cost $165, but $1 raffle tickets will be sold during the gala.

Tickets for Carrousel and Corks, sponsored by Riverfront Park and Beta Sigma Phi, are available at 4 Seasons Coffee & Wine, the Spokane Wine Co., three Rosauers stores (on 29th, at University City and on North Division), at Riverfront Park’s gift shop and the Carrousel.

Tickets also will be available at the door.

, DataTimes