THUNDER BAY — For the first time since the 1970s, the historic Chippewa Park carousel band organ will play its music again.
It's being returned from southern Ontario where it was sent last January to be restored by specialists.
The Friends of Chippewa Park have arranged to bring the Artizan/Wurlitzer organ to Waverley Park for an outdoor concert on Sunday, June 2.
It will then be taken back to Chippewa for the summer.
The organ was manufactured in the mid-1920s, but "has been silent for nearly 40 years," says Iain Angus, project manager for the restoration.
"Thanks to the generosity of Joan Miller and family and the expertise of the Nickelodeon Company of Mount Forest, Ontario, the band organ has been restored and is just waiting to entertain riders and their families at Chippewa Park," Angus said Tuesday.
He said that because of the organ's "rarity and specialness" it deserves a special concert to celebrate its return.
Angus has had a chance to listen to it play after the repairs. "To hear the beauty of the band organ after 40 years of silence is a wonder," he said.
Although the facade has not been refurbished as yet, the entire operating mechanism is now back in working order.
"As a family, we are so excited that our contribution to the restoration has resulted in bringing back to life this amazing musical instrument," stated Joan Miller.
The June concert will be emceed by local music conductor Ted Vaillant and will feature commentary on the organ's history.
Members of the audience will have an opportunity to choose some of the songs to be played.
