painted horses - View this location on map 'in 1991, chuck kaparich, a local cabinetmaker, offered to build a carousel for the city. once the location - in caras park on the clark fork river downtown - was settled, the community set out to volunteer sweat and coins. some 100,000 hours of volunteer work later, with 16,066 pieces finally assembled for a 1918 herschell-spillman motor and frame, a carousel for missoula (406-549-8382) opened for rides in 1995. columbia belle, the lead horse - complete with an american flag, golden hooves and an angel behind the saddle - leads 37 other handcrafted horses and two chariots to music from a large band organ. rides are $1.50 for adults and 50 cents for children. grab the brass ring from a dragon's mouth for a free ride.'' New York Times 101 carousel drive, Missoula, MT Kids

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