This weekend COAA (the Carousel Organ Association of America) is
sponsoring an organ rally in Old Town St. Charles, Missouri, (25 miles
from downtown St. Louis) in conjunction with the city of St. Charles
and the German Club of St. Charles -- three days of food, music, and
fun, right on the banks of the beautiful Missouri River.

The St. Charles Oktoberfest is located in Frontier Park.  There will
be live music and dancing all weekend long, plus a parade, craft
booths, antique car show, wiener dog race and traditional beer tents.

This is primarily (but not exclusively) a crank organ event.  We are
expecting at least five "home made" organs, including three built
from John Smith plans, plus several Whittmann instruments including a
Whittmann 36 and an accordion, and of course organs by Pell, Raffin,
et cetera.

I have just learned that there is an AMICA Meeting, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
on Saturday, in the hospitality room of the Americas Best Value Inn &
Suites motel.  COAA will have a "mart" at the motel on Friday evening
at 8:30.

Further details are available at http://studio801.com/stcharlesrally.htm 
General information on COAA is at http://coaa.us/ 

Wallace Venable