For many years, Logansport played host to the biggest Shrine parade in the state of Indiana.
It was an annual event that generations of Logansport residents looked forward to attending. The tradition started in 1921, the year after the local Shrine Club opened, and it continued for more than 80 years.
The parades resumed in 2008 after a hiaitus of several years, and local Shriners have been working hard ever since to rebuild the tradition. They want the parade to return to what was in its heydey when it featured more than 100 entries.
This event is about more than having a good time.
The parade and the accompanying frolic are among the ways the Shriners raise money for their 22 children’s hospitals. Those hospitals do groundbreaking work in working with children suffering from severe burns and many other medical issues. Their physicians are true miracle workers, and the care they provide comes at no cost to the families.
In addition to raising money for the hospitals, the club provides transportation for 63 children from surrounding communities to and from the hospitals in Chicago and Cincinnati.
Saturday’s parade will consist of more than 60 entries. In addition to the Logansport High School band and Berryettes, the parade will feature the Murat police club drill team and several clowns will march in the parade, too. In addition, the Indiana Racing Lions miniature racecars and the Cass County Historical Society’s Revere touring car.
The festivities will start at 5 p.m. today with a steak and chicken supper at the Shrine Club at 415 High St., followed by live band music by the Eel River Band from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The “frolic” part of the weekend will continue after the Saturday parade with a barbecue pork loin dinner starting between 2 and 2:30 p.m. and more live music continuing until late evening.
Shriners are opening all the celebrations to the public. Tonight’s steak dinner will cost $14, and the grilled chicken breast dinner will be $10. Saturday’s pork loin dinner will be $7 a person.
Last year’s parade and frolic raised about $8,000, and Shriners hope to beat that this year.
So, head on out to the Shrine Club tonight and Saturday. You'll not only have a chance to enjoy some great food and music. You’ll be supporting a great tradition, and a wonderful cause.
Want to go?
What: Logansport Shrine Parade
When: Parade steps off at 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: On Broadway from Ninth Street west to Fourth Street
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