The Gateway Chapter of AMICA is sponsoring a monkey organ rally in Old
St. Charles, Missouri, in conjunction with the city of St. Charles and
the German Club of St. Charles, who are holding an Oktoberfest on Sept.
30 and Oct 1-2, 2005.  We are inviting people with street organs to
participate in three days of food, music, and fun on the banks of the
Missouri River, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis.

The Oktoberfest organ festival's setting will be the Main Street
Historic District and Riverfront Park on the banks of the Missouri
River.  The area has been a viable settlement since 1769, and it was
the original state capitol (1821-1826).  St. Charles was also the
beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The organ festival will begin with a Friday evening meal at home of
Yousuf and Mary Wilson, followed by music, a singalong to an automatic
banjo player, and camaraderie.  The host hotel has a room rate of $49 a
night for participants.

On Saturday the Oktoberfest will begin with a parade in which organ
grinders can participate either by playing on a float or playing along
the parade route.  Organ grinders may also perform on the Jaycee stage.

After the parade organ grinders can play along six blocks of
19th-century buildings housing all kinds of shops, or they can play
among the handicraft booths along the riverfront.  Saturday evening
participants will receive a meal in the beer garden tent, followed by
entertainment from a German band from Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Organ grinders will have the option of playing Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday.

Anyone interested should contact Cynthia Craig for further information:
tel.: 1-314-771-1244, email <cynth_craig@yahoo.com>

Gary Craig