MAY 20, 2010 ISSUE
Oasis Shriners To Return, Parade in Blowing Rock June 4 and 5
Oasis Band Concert Friday, Luncheon and Fashion Show Saturday
During and after Saturday’s parade, many of the famous Shriners’ little cars, Oasis Clowns, Gator Patrol, Dune Cats and Scooter Patrol will be on display. Attendees will also enjoy performances by the Oasis Shrine Band and presentations from the Oasis Shrine Color Guard. Photos submitted More than 2,000 members of the Oasis Shrine will gather in Blowing Rock on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, for the chapter’s Summer Ceremonial. This is the second year the Ceremonial, inducting new members into the Shrine, will be held in Blowing Rock; it will be followed by a traditional Saturday afternoon parade on Main Street, which begins at 2:00 p.m.
According to Oasis Shrine Executive Director Harvey Burgess, the Summer Ceremonial took place in Asheville for 100 years before it moved to Hickory, back to Asheville and then finally to Blowing Rock last year.
“We had a grand time in Blowing Rock last year—Blowing Rock is a perfect sized town for what we do, it’s lovely,” said Burgess. “For that reason, we’ve come back; it’s a perfect fit.”
In addition to the Ceremonial and parade, there will be a free concert by the Oasis Band at 3:00 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park and after Saturday’s parade many of the famous Shriners’ little cars, Oasis Clowns, Gator Patrol, Dune Cats and Scooter Patrol will be on display. The Oasis Steel Drum Band will perform in conjunction with the Saturday display.
On Saturday at 11:00 a.m., the ladies of the Shrine will hold a luncheon and fashion show at Chetola Resort, with Blowing Rock retailers providing the fashion items. Retailers can set up free trade show booths at the event; for more information on the free trade show booth, contact Tracy Brown, executive director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority, at 828-295-4636. For more information on the fashion show, contact coordinator Carol Dickerson of JW Tweeds at 828-295-8918.
Throughout the weekend, a traveling interactive display trailer will be at Memorial Park to help the public learn more about the Shriners and their activities. Oasis is one of the largest of the 193 chapters of Shriners International, and is headquartered in Charlotte.
Many of those attending the Ceremonial will be staying in Blowing Rock for one or two nights and bringing their tourism dollars to the town, according to Brown.
“We’re happy to have the Shriners back and we look forward to the excitement and entertainment of their parade,” Brown said.
For more information on the Oasis Shriners, click to www.oasisshriners.org or contact Burgess at 704-549-9600 or by email at HBSHRINE@aol.com. For more information on the Shriners Hospitals for Children, click to www.shrinershq.org.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
