Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
The Shawano Masonic Lodge has been chosen to host installation ceremonies of new Shriners from around northeast Wisconsin later this month, and a community parade along Main Street will mark the occasion.
The event is usually reserved for the Beja Shrine of Green Bay, but Beja Potentate Nicholas Brosig, the head of the shrine, hit upon the idea of having local lodges host the ceremonies, according to Shawano Mason representative Dale Vannes.
“A couple times a year they have an installation of Masons who wish to become Shriners and there’s a big ceremony that goes on,” Vannes said.
Vannes told the Shawano Common Council on Wednesday how the plans for the ceremony and the parade that will take place March 29 came about.
Vannes said several Shriners recently visited the Shawano lodge.
“They were really impressed with the new building,” he said.
Shawano Masons No. 170 was previously located at 201 1/2 S. Main St., but in 2010, the lodge purchased a facility on 1.5 acres at 2324 E. Richmond St. The building was renovated to make it energy-efficient and handicapped-accessible, and new landscaping was added.
The lodge is used as a gathering space for other community groups as well as the Masons.
“The Masons are very proud of this new building here,” Vannes said.
Vannes said it was also Brosig’s idea to hold a parade prior to the ceremonies; one that would also feature other Shawano community groups that are involved with youth.
“He didn’t want it to be just the Shrine and the Masons,” Vannes said. “There’s a lot of organizations in every community that gets involved with youth, and we’re inviting those organizations to participate.”
Vannes said the 4-H is already on board and he has been reaching out to other community organizations.
Vannes said it would be good exposure for all of the groups involved and could boost membership.
“This would be a great opportunity for the spectators to see the organizations participating in the parade,” he said. “I’m sure there are other people out there, once they find out what these organizations do, they may want to get involved.”
Vannes said it would also be a boost for Shawano, with representatives coming from a number of northeast Wisconsin lodges, along with their wives and friends.
“There’s going to be a lot of people here spending some money,” he said. “I think it’s great for Shawano. It’s great exposure for Shawano, and I think it’s a good thing to toot our community’s horn a little bit and brag about the other organizations that are involved with youth.”
The parade, which was approved Wednesday by the Common Council, will start at 11 a.m. and run north on Main Street from Elizabeth to Division Street, where it will turn west and end at Franklin Park.