2023 Rotary Carousel and Band Organ Rally    

The Rotary clubs of Broome County present the first regional Carousel and Band Organ Rally in conjunction with the Carousel Organ Association of America.  The Band Organ Rally will be held at Highland Park in Endwell on July 22 and 23.  The event will also feature the historic Carousel Circuit.  Directions will be provided for our six carousel sites and other venues in our community.

Broome County is known as the “Carousel Capital of the World” thanks to the generosity of industrialist George F. Johnson.   Mr. Johnson provided carousels and band organs to six sites from 1919 to 1934.  His goal was to provide free family entertainment.  All six sites were declared National Historic Sites and remain open today.

The region is also the home of Harvey Roehl, a pioneer in the collection of outdoor mechanical musical instruments.  Local inventor Edwin Link made organs and player pianos.  Rod Serling grew up close to Recreation Park and featured the park in his production of “Walking Distance”.  This event honors the contributions of Johnson, Roehl, Link and Serling to our community.  A historical exhibit will be available at Highland Park.

The schedule of events includes:

Highland Park – Endwell: 11 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Carousels will be open to 8 pm.

• Band and crank organs located throughout the park
• 10 am Saturday: Rusty King – Presentation on Ed Link – Bells & Whistles of Link Silent Movie Theater Organ (pavilion 2)
• Crank organ concert at 2 pm and 4 pm each day.
• 3 pm Saturday: Presentation on Wurlitzer Organs by Mikey Mills (at carousel)
• Presentation on the History of the region by Roger Luther
• Carousel, swimming pool, hiking, tennis and pickle ball, playground
• Food vendors
• 7 pm Saturday: Roger Luther (County Historian) – Johnson Carousels and Band Organs (pavilion 2)
• 10 am Sunday: Jack Shay (Author) – Presentation on Harvey Roehl (pavilion 2)
• 3 pm Sunday: Gerald Smith (former County Historian) – “Ride the Painted Ponies” (in Rec. Center)
• Rotary Information Table

West Endicott Park – Endicott: 11 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday

• Carousel, kiddie pool and playground

George W. Johnson Park – Endicott:

• Carousel, pool and playground

1. Fred Johnson Park – Johnson City:

• Annual Carousel festival on Saturday with vendors and entertainment (11 am to 4 pm)
• Ball fields, carousel volleyball and playground
• Carousel Modelers and Miniatures Association with 7 re-creations
• National Carousel Association exhibit
• Variety of craft vendors and community organizations participating
• Pinkie’s BBQ and VIBES Rolled Ice Cream
• NY Volunteer Infantry Regiment Reenactors
• Rich Birdsall, DJ from 11 am to 4 pm
• Will Stafford, Juggler from 1 pm to 3 pm
• David Black, Magician from noon to 1 pm
• King Creations Face Painting from 11 am to 4 pm
• Rotary Information Table

Ross Park Zoo and Carousel: – Binghamton

• 5^th oldest zoo in America
• Carousel will not be in operation
• Sheltered picnic areas and playground
• The Discovery Center

Recreation Park – Binghamton:

• Carousel and band organ
• Statue of George F. Johnson, Rod Serling Memorial Plaque
• Pools, bathhouse, tennis, playground and ball fields
• Rotary Information Table

Visitors that go to all operating sites over the three-day weekend will receive a button.