Joyland carousel rides again

Restoration of the historic Joyland carousel has been completed at its new home in Botanica.

Restoration of the historic Joyland carousel has been completed at its new home in Botanica. The carousel was a popular ride at Joyland Amusement Park, whose owners donated it to Botanica in 2014. 

Artist Marlene Irvin restored each of the 36 horses, and the remaining mechanics and chariots were restored or replaced. The Khicha Family Carousel is housed in a 9,000-square-foot pavilion west of the Downing Children’s Garden. 

New baseball team steps up to plate

The Wichita Wind Surge, Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, leads off its 70-home game season with opener April 14 against the Memphis Redbirds, affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Post-game fireworks are scheduled for opening night as well as July 4 and every Friday night game. 

Games will be played at a new $75 million stadium along the Arkansas River on land formerly occupied by Lawrence Dumont Stadium.

To view the complete 2020 schedule, visit windsurge.com.

Eisenhower Museum unveils renovation

Eisenhower Museum unveils renovation

After being closed for a year-long renovation, the Eisenhower Presidential Museum in Ike’s hometown of Abilene will be rededicated on Oct. 12. The unveiling of the 25,000-square-foot museum was slated to coincide with the 75th anniversary year of D-Day, in which Eisenhower played a pivotal role. 

In addition to seven new films, the completely redone museum devotes more space to Mamie Eisenhower. Set on a 22-acre campus, the museum houses 70,000 artifacts pertaining to Eisenhower’s military and presidential career. 

The museum first opened not as a presidential museum but as a way to honor Abilene’s most famous son and the nation’s first five-star general, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was supreme allied commander during the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  

Eisenhower was elected president in 1953, and the museum dedication took place on Nov. 11, 1954. Check dwightdeisenhower.com/or Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum on Facebook for more information. 

New issue of Wichita Times available

The July-December print edition of the Wichita Times is now available at local bookstores,70 hotels, the Wichita airport and other locations.

Read all about the national recognition Exploration Place and the Sedgwick County Zoo have received as well as how to find all of the Keepers on Parade.

There’s also a calendar of events, which is also online.

The July-December print edition of the Wichita Times is now available at local bookstores,70 hotels, the Wichita airport and other locations.
The July-December print edition of the Wichita Times is now available at local bookstores,70 hotels, the Wichita airport and other locations throughout Wichita.