Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival
This summer, the Rotary Carousel and Band Organ Week will highlight both the historic, free carousels that Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company founder George F Johnson gifted to our community, as well as the Wurlitzer band organs that filled them with music.
In recent years, the Endicott and Endwell Rotaries have been acquiring and restoring three organs to replace the ones that originally entertained carousel riders.
Last year, a band organ rally accompanied the annual Johnson City Carousel Festival at CFJ Park.
This year, the rally will take place at Spiedie Fest, welcoming in ten large band organs from outside our area, 20 smaller crank organs, and a tent with displays about the history of our carousels and George F.
'It's a great example of mechanical genius, these organs. We'll have ours on display. There's many different types and sizes. They were made to accompany carousels. They're loud so that they can be heard over the sound of the carousel,' said Smith.
Carousel and Band Organ Week will run for eight days, beginning at the JC Carousel Festival on Saturday July 26.
Then the band organ rally takes place during Spiedie Fest from August 1 through the 3.
In between, Smith says representatives from various Rotary Clubs will hold events at their local carousels, and some of the portable band organs will travel to different locations as well.
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