Local Shriners to host statewide meeting, parade

The Wyoming Shriners will be holding their statewide meeting and a parade in Thermopolis.

The parade will be Saturday, September 21 beginning at 11 a.m. to celebrate their regional conferral, where they make new Shriners from candidates. The parade will start on the usual path on Senior Avenue, moving to the stoplight and then end at the VFW. 

Local Shriner president Dave Voorhees and member Eric Kay invite the public to come join the celebration. They also invite local groups such as emergency services, kids and anybody else that wants to be involved to participate in the parade. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce.

The parade will also include the Shriners driving their famous turtle and clown cars and wearing their fez hats. Also, the horse patrol from Sheridan will participate. The conferral will bring about 150 members plus their families to Thermopolis. The participating two Shriners’ temples, Kalif and Korein, from the north half of Wyoming and the south half of Wyoming, respectfully will come together for a private meeting at the fair building. 

To become a Shriner, you have to be a Freemason first. The Shriners’ organization and their hospital helps assist children and their families for medical reasons, such as cleft palate surgeries, burns, physical impairments, and other ailments. The funds raised go to provide for transportation and lodging. The Shriners hospitals are free.

Voorhees and Kay invite people to join the Shriners by first becoming a member of the Freemasons. For more information, contact Eric Kay at 921-1339.