Fun and games at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel should continue to be had, if Council members renew an agreement allowing Kid’s Play to keep booking events for the popular venue.
The Carousel has served as a host for birthday parties, weddings, holiday parties and non-profit fundraising events, said a city staff report. Those patrons interested in such events are offered graduated rental rates, while commercial patrons looking to use the venue for film and television shoots are subject to higher rates.
Since 2001, Kid’s Play has been the city’s booking agent for special events at the Carousel. In that role, the agency books, coordinates and monitors events as well as markets the facility to potential clients. During the 2005-06 season, Kid’s Play booked 188 children’s birthday parties, 38 private parties and four film shoots. This year, the Carousel events generated $109,824 in revenue, of which the agency received $54,912.
Kid’s Play is compensated with 50 percent of the income generated from the rental of the space, plus reimbursement of custodial fees, pre-approved marketing materials, mailing expenses and supplies.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.