The Cultural and Entertainment District in Keokuk, Iowa, has been
exploring the possibility of hosting "The Great American Blowout" along
the Mississippi River.  Our vision is to invite calliope owners from
around the Midwest to come to Keokuk for a calliope festival and concert.
We will be planning a whole weekend of events surrounding the concert.

We are contacting Majestic America, the new owners of several river
excursion boats, in hopes that we can arrange for one of the Queens to
join us for this event.  We have been in contact with Dave Miner of
Miner Manufacturing in Donnellson, Iowa, about this idea and although
he is unable to help organize, he has encouraged us to pursue this
vision.  Dave is from here in Lee County.  Also, Joe Roost, who is from
Keokuk, advised Dave in the building of the modern Tangley Calliophone
prototype.  Joe will likely be the grand marshal of the event and the
conductor of the Grand Blowout.

The dates will be dependent upon what Majestic America decides, and
their schedules, hopefully within two years.  We are currently
gathering names and contacts of people who might have an interest in
being part of this effort.  Feel free to share this email with your
calliope enthusiast friends, including owners of band boxes and other
wind-powered instruments.  I will be creating a mailing/email list of
those who respond and indicate they would like to keep informed.  Your
ideas and input are most welcome and appreciated!

Thanks,
Carole Betts - CED Board Member
Courtyard Books, PO Box 71
415 Main St., Keokuk, Iowa 52632
tel.: 1-319-524-4605