Saturday, 9 August, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (event); 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. (picnic buffet):

Medinah Shriners’ annual picnic at the Brookfield Zoo. We're going back to the world-famous Brookfield Zoo, located at 8400 31st Street (south-west corner of 31st Street and 1st Avenue), in Brookfield [31st Street is a.k.a. “Oak Brook Road” to our DuPage County brethren]. This is a fantastic bargain and an outstanding event for the whole family. For only US$10.00 per person over 2 years of age, you get parking in the north lot, zoo admission, admission to the children’s zoo, the dolphin show, and a two-hour picnic buffet in the Oak Grove picnic area. Bring your family. Dress is casual. Make your reservations straight away. There is a strict cut-off date of 12 July of for reservations; no Medinah packages will be available after 12 July. Click here for an informative flyer and reservations form.

Friday Evening, 15 August, at 5:00 p.m.:

Elburn Days parade. Muster at 5:00 p.m. at the grassy area near Lion’s Park on West South Street off of Route 47 (Main Street), in Elburn. Uniform is your choice of red or blue parade shirt, and wear your fez! Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Friday Evening, 22 August, at 4:15 p.m. (bus departure), 7:00 p.m. (game time):

Saturday, 23 August, at 2:30 p.m.:

Glendale Heights Village parade. Muster at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Americana Elementary School, located at 1629 President Street, in Glendale Heights. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Saturday, 30 August, at 9:00 a.m. (muster):

Lake In the Hills’ Summer Sunset Festival parade. Muster at 9:00 a.m. in the festival parking area located on Miller Road, east of Haligus Road, in Lake in the Hills; please note that Haligus Road and portions of Miller Road will close at 9:00 a.m. so please be on time or we will not be able to get to our line-up location. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Monday, 1 September, at 9:00 a.m. (muster):

Herscher’s 125 Annual Labour Day parade. Medinah-wide participation. Muster at 9:00 a.m., at Herscher High School, located at 501 North Main Street, in Herscher. Uniform is your choice of red or blue WSSC parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a go-cart, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Wednesday Evening, 3 September, at 6:30 p.m.:

WSSC dinner with the ladies, at Sawa’s Old Warsaw Restaurant, located at 9200 West Cermak Road, in Broadview. How appropriate! The woman on their logo wields a scimitar. Sawa’s Old Warsaw has been serving the best Polish-American cuisine for over forty years. Their expert chefs prepare hearty, homemade meals each day, seasoned to perfection. Come and enjoy their large Polish-American smorgasbord, featuring everything from potato pierogi to roast beef. Just make sure to leave some room for blintzes! To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please email 3rd Vice President, Noble Dave Wray, or telephone him at 708-609-0105.

Saturday, 6 September, at 10:00 a.m.:

Bloomingdale’s Septemberfest parade. Assemble at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of DuJardin School, located at 122 South Euclid Avenue, in Bloomingdale. The Medinah Shrine Centre is only a stone’s throw from Bloomingdale, so come out and show our neighbours who the Roaring ‘57s are and what we do! After the parade, enjoy musical performances, a motorcycle show, contests, and scholarship presentations. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Friday Evening, 12 September, exact time to be announced:

Medinah Shriners' 125 anniversary and silent auction. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Details will be posted when published. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. For more information, ring 630-899-1400.

Saturday, 20 September, (muster time to be announced):

Saturday Evening, 4 October, at 5:30 p.m.:

River Grove’s Fall Fest parade:

Ladies: Assemble at 5:30 p.m. at the entrance to River Front Park on Thatcher Avenue (same place as always; look for Lynette). The River Grove Fall Fest parade is the final of our special ladies’ parades of 2007! This represents a great opportunity to spend time with your fellow ladies and to see the Roaring ‘57s in action. It’s an evening parade and the weather may be cold, so dress warmly. Bring your lawn chair and meet Lynette, Peanut and Colleen. We’ll watch the parade from an excellent sideline location adjacent to the festival grounds. (Port-a-potties are nearby.) After the parade, please join us at the annual parade afterglow in National Field where our cars are parked.

Nobles: Musterat 5:30 in the grassy parking area of National Field off of Oak Street and River Grove Avenue, in River Grove. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Roaring ‘57s jacket or old-style WSSC jacket optional if the weather is cool or otherwise inclement, or you can wear a blue or black sweatshirt under your blue parade shirt. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a go-cart, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Sunday, 5 October, at 11:00 a.m.:

Addison’s Founders Days parade. Medinah-wide participation. Muster at 11:00 a.m. at a location to be announced. Medinah Shriners will be saluted as an Addison Village Partner, so let’s have an extra-strong turn-out for this one, and give our neighbours a heck of a show! Uniform is blue WSSC parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Details will be posted when published. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a go-cart, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Friday Evening, 10 October, exact time to be announced:

Medinah Shriners’ annual Oktoberfest. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Details will be posted when published. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. For more information, ring 630-899-1400.

Friday-Saturday, 10-11 October:

Illinois Grand Lodge Annual Communication, at Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Centre, located at 1 Convention Center Plaza, in Springfield, Illinois. Contact the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Illinois at 217-529-8900 for more information. While in historic Springfield, visit the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Details will be posted when published.

Sunday-Sunday, 26 October – 2 November:

Medinah potentate’s pilgrimage to Aruba. Bonbini, welcome to Aruba! Aruba has a colourful history, economic prosperity, crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches and friendly, welcoming people. You are invited to come and join Illustrious Sir Kenny Frank and his lady Arlene on an all inclusive, fun-filled week in tropical, sunny Aruba. Whether you want to participate in the sports available, test your luck a the nearby casino, go shopping in duty-free stores, or sit and relax at the beach, there is something for everyone in Aruba. This is an all-inclusive package, and includes round-trip airfare on United Airlines (nonstop flights from Chicago), Accommodations at the Tamarijn Aruba Resort, deluxe ocean-front rooms with either a balcony or terrace, all meals & snacks at 9 dining options, drinks all day long at 7 bars, nightly entertainment, use of non-motorised water-sports equipment, tennis, fitness centre, activity programme, taxes, gratuities, all of the facilities next door at the Divi Aruba Resort. Please click here for a detailed promotional flyer and reservations form. All arrangements are handled by Sun Travel Service, Inc.; ring them at 847-390-7000.

Sunday, 26 October, at 12:00 noon:

Sycamore’s Pumpkin Festival parade. Muster at 12:00 noon in the parking lot of Ideal Industries, located at 1200 Park Avenue, in Sycamore. They liked us so much last year, they had to have us back. In addition to the parade, the festival includes a carnival and craft show. Uniform is blue parade shirt, and wear your fez! Roaring ‘57s jacket or old-style WSSC jacket optional, or you can wear a blue or black sweatshirt under your blue parade shirt. Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Saturday, 1 November, at 12:00 a.m. (muster):

Hillside’s Veterans’ Day parade. (Yes, it is more than a week early). Assemble at 12:00 noon in the parking lot of Saint Domitilla’s Church, located at 605 North Hillside Avenue, in Hillside. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Roaring ‘57s jacket or old-style WSSC jacket optional, or you can wear a blue or black sweatshirt under your blue parade shirt. Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Wednesday Evening, 5 November, at 6:30 p.m.:

Friday Evening, 7 November, at 7:00 p.m. (doors open); 8:00-11:00 p.m. (dinner, libations, & drawing):

16th annual 600 Club dinner. Medinah Shriners’ annual sweepstakes fundraiser, at the Diplomat West, located at 681 West North Avenue (North Avenue & Illinois Route 83), in Elmhurst. Each ticket costs only US$100.00 and admits a party of two for fun, food, refreshments, and dancing. The first prize is US$50,000; three second prizes of US$10,000 each; and thirty-four third prizes of US$500 each. Winners need not be present in order to win; only in order to enjoy the food, fun, refreshments and dancing. The “600 Club” is an officially licensed raffle run by Medinah Shriners for the benefit of Medinah Shriners. There will be an absolute maximum of two thousand (2,000) tickets sold, so the odds of winning are higher than any we have seen from other organisations. All winners will be notified promptly by a telephone call from one of the nobles on the 600 Club Committee. Notice that there are 100% more winners this year than before, so you have a better chance than ever! If you are interested in participating in this extraordinary opportunity, pick up the phone and call the Medinah office 630-889-1400. You will be talking with one of the ladies from our Recorder’s office staff, not some stranger. Have your credit card ready. Donation is US$100. If you are in a location convenient to the drawing, (Elmhurst, Illinois) you are invited to attend. Refreshments, snacks and dancing are included. Thank you for your support and, GOOD LUCK! Proceeds from the 600 Club are for the benefit of Medinah Shriners to support our many fraternal activities, and are thus not deductible as a charitable contribution.

Saturday, 15 November, 1:00 p.m. (muster):

Wilmette Chamber of Commerce parade. Muster at 1:00 p.m. on Poplar Drive, south of Oakwood Avenue, in Wilmette. This is our first appearance in Wilmette. Let’s turn out and give them a good show. Uniform is red parade shirt, and wear your fez! Roaring ‘57s jacket or old-style WSSC jacket optional, or you can wear a red or black sweatshirt under your red parade shirt. Bring white pants in case you draw marching duty. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Evening, time to be announced:

Addison mayor’s 17th annual charity ball, at a location to be announced. All proceeds from the tickets sold by Medinah go our patient transportation fund to fly burned children and their families to the Shriners Hospital for Children’s Cincinnati Burn Centre and to transport area children and their families to the Chicago Shriners Hospital for Children to treat their orthopaedic conditions and spinal chord injuries. Nobles’ dress is fez with black tie (for those of you from Rio Linda, ‘black tie’ means a tuxedo [preferred] or a dark suit & solid-colour tie [acceptable]). Ladies’ dress is eveningwear. Details will be posted when published. Contact Medinah Shrine Centre office at 630-889-1400 for more information.

Sunday, 16 November, time to be announced:

Roundy Jewel brunch. The Medinah Shriners honour those nobles who keep Medinah strong by sponsoring new nobles, and present them the Roundy Jewel and/or appurtenances thereto, at this annual brunch. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Named for Imperial Sir Frank C. Roundy, 1899-1900 Medinah Potentate and 1907-1908 Imperial Potentate, the jewel is scimitar-and-crescent-shaped, suspended from a neck ribbon of red, yellow and green. Subsequent awards are recognized by appurtenances in the shapes of coloured arches and a star, suspended below the crescent. Details will be posted when published.

Friday Evening, 21 November, at 6:30 p.m. (cocktails); 7:30 p.m. (dinner):

Sunday, 7 December, at 8:00 a.m.:

Chicagoland Toys for Tots motorcycle parade. West Suburban Shriners will once again work the intersection of Ogden and Western Avenues, controlling traffic as each tier of several thousand motorcycles, fire trucks, Marine Corps HMMWVs, inter alia pass through on their way north from the Dan Ryan Woods at 83rd Street and Western Avenue, up to Foster Avenue and the Marine Reserve Centre, each one of them carrying toys for needy Chicago-area children. The Chicagoland Toys For Tots motorcycle parade is the largest motorcycle parade in the world, with tens of thousands of bikers – and runs for nearly nineteen miles along the world’s longest street (Western Avenue is 23½ miles long within the city, plus several more miles in the suburbs). Please, no stuffed animals; this is due to health concerns (allergies & hygiene). Uniform is blue parade shirt and unit jacket – and, of course, your fez! You will be issued an orange safety vest on site. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to help.

Saturday, 13 December, 10:00 a.m. (doors open) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Santa & Mrs. Claus present):

Medinah Shriners’ children’s holiday party. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Bring your good little girls and boys to meet Santa Claus at the annual holiday party. Surprises and entertainment for all. Games will be held in the unit rooms. Hotdogs, chips, soda-pop & ice cream for refreshment. Uniform is black or red WSSC shirt, and wear your fez. Bring your kids or grandkids, and your lady. Reservations are required by 30 November to ensure presents for all of the children attending.

Wednesday Evening, 31 December 2008 – Thursday Morning, 1 January 2009, 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.:

Medinah Shriners’ New Year’s Eve party, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Details will be posted when published. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Reservations are required; telephone 630-458-0200 for reservations and more information.

Contact the hotels directly for hotel reservations; some suggestions from the Medinah office are: Hilton Garden Inn next door at 630-691-0500; Wyndham Northwest (in Itasca) at 630-773-4000; Wyndham Garden Wood Dale at 630-860-2900.

Thursday, 1 January 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:

Friday Evening, 16 January 2009, at 7:30 p.m.:

Medinah Shriners’ annual meeting, election, and installation of officers, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Stag. Double-guarded (tyled). Wear your fez and bring your dues card. Dress is fez with suit & tie or sport coat & tie [not the club polo shirt; a suit or sport coat, and tie - got it?]. Details will be posted when published.

Sunday, 18 January 2009, 1:00 p.m. (doors open); 1:30 (lunch, followed by installation):

Saturday, 25 April 2009:

York Rite Day and grand presiding officers’ reception, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. The Capitular degrees of Freemasonry (being Mark Master Mason, Past Master [Virtual], Most Excellent Master, and the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason), and the Cryptic degrees of Freemasonry (being Royal Master and Select Master) will be conferred by ritualist teams from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois and the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois. Click here to find a Royal Arch chapter near you; in most cases, the chapter will have a Cryptic council affiliated with it. In the evening, there will be a joint reception of the Most Excellent Grand High Priest and the Most Illustrious Grand Master. Details will be posted when published.

Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 July 2009:

135th annual Shrine Imperial Council session, in San Antonio, Texas. Hosted by Alzafar Shriners. Come and cheer on many of Medinah Shriners’ marching units as they compete to be the best in all the Shrine. Details will be posted when published.

Saturday-Thursday, 3-8 July 2010:

136th annual Shrine Imperial Council session, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in fabulous Toronto, Ontario. Hosted by Ramses Shriners. Come and cheer on many of Medinah Shriners’ marching units as they compete to be the best in all the Shrine. Toronto, Ontario is starting to roll out the red carpet for you right now. The city is truly excited that the Shriners are coming to town. The people of Toronto love us for what we do for kids through our Shriners Hospitals, plus the parades and pageantry that we will display while we are there. “Toronto Unlimited” is the theme of your host city. It is one of the premier cities in North America in terms of cultures, the diversities of attractions, and opportunities for enjoyment. As they say, Toronto is a “world within a city.” Spend a few minutes clicking onto the links in the session’s web site to wet your appetite about coming here July 3-8, 2010. You’ll see why thousands upon thousands of Shriners went there in 1989 and made it the largest Imperial convention and longest Shrine parade ever! While there, see the famous Shrine Peace Memorial dedicated during the 1930 Imperial Council Session (and tentatively planned to be re-dedicated at the 2010 convention).