In a message dated 97-10-26 11:03:41 EST, Matt Caulfield writes:

> There is probably not much hope that anyone can interest state fair
> managers to put a real band organ on location (unless perhaps you offer
> to truck one there and run it gratis).

In general, I am sure this is true.  However, there is one notable
exception.  The Big E, Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield,
MA, is the state fair for all 6 New England states.  The President of the
Exposition, Mr. Wayne McCarey, is a band organ enthusiast and has
arranged to have at least one nice fairground organ on display for many
years of the Exposition.

This year we were honored to be asked to display our 81 key Wilhelm
Bruder Sohne organ at the fair for all 17 days for a very generous
honorarium.  We played the organ from 11am to 8pm every day, had a
display for punching organ books (I finished punching 7 books during that
period) and were allowed to sell tapes and CDs of the organ.  At the risk
of being a bit immodest, I think we put on a very professional and
interesting display.

While not everyone was interested in the organ and its music, many, many
people stopped to listen and enjoy and to ask questions about the organ
and its history and music.  In addition to our organ, the Conklin Shows,
who provided the midway for the fair, had a Gebruder Bruder organ on
display.  It was not playing well or often but made a nice display near
the Conklin carousel.

In previous years, the Royal American Shows Gavioli has been displayed by
the Circus World Museum at the Big E and one year, they had about a dozen
restored circus wagons on display.  This fair is one of the best run and
cleanest state fairs we have seen.  While there, we were approached by
several other fair organizers about bringing our organ to their fair so
there is interest if a display and financial terms can be reached.

I would [not] expect [to] ask anyone to do this for free as there is too
much work involved as well as the wear and tear on the instrument and the
exposure for theft (yes we lost a couple of items).

Bob Conant