Daytona Beach, FL-Thousands of Shriners from around the world will converge on Daytona Beach from July 9 through 13 as they attend the Shriners International
2017 Imperial Session at the Ocean Center.
The Shriners have been working closely with the Ocean Center and the
Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to plan for the event,
which is expected to draw up to 10,000 attendees from around the world.
Most people know the Shriners by the funny hats they wear, the tiny
cars they drive, and the big cigars they smoke. These attention getters
show the social side of Shriners International, which has a very serious
mission. The group owns and operates Shriners Hospitals for Children, a
network of 22 nonprofit medical facilities and one of the largest
charitable organizations in the United States.
When members gather at meetings and conventions, you could say they
have “fun with a purpose.”
“Shriners really know how to have fun,” said Gary Bergenske, an
Orlando businessman who will be installed as the Shriners’ Imperial
Potentate at the gathering. “We invite the public to join us in our
fun at our awesome night parade and to come enjoy the Fab Four concert
with us. On our charitable side, the “Walk, Ride or Drive for Love”
at the Speedway is an excellent way for Volusia County locals to join us
for fun while we raise money for Shriners Hospitals.”
Locals are invited to join the fun-loving group during these public
events and fundraisers:
· Shriners Marketplace: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8 to 12. The
marketplace inside the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona
Beach, will feature hundreds of vendors selling Shriner keepsakes as
well as apparel, food, jewelry and other items. Admission is free.
· Shriners Golf Competition: 7 a.m. July 9. Join the Shriners for
a scramble-style golf tournament at LPGA International, 1000 Champions
Drive, Daytona Beach. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start
at 8:30 a.m. The $65 fee includes greens and cart fees and a box
lunch. For more information, visit www.volusia.org/golf.
· Shriners Walk, Ride or Drive for Love: 9 a.m. July 9. This
fundraiser at Daytona International Speedway will benefit Shriners
Hospitals for Children. Participants can walk through the Sprint Fan
Zone, Garage Area and Victory Lane; or ride their motorcycle or get
behind the wheel of their car and drive a lap around the most famous
track in racing. The individual fee is $25. For more information, visit
· Shriners Motor Corps Competition: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9. Watch
the Shriner motorcycles and little cars compete for trophies as they
cavort around Daytona International Speedway. Registration begins at 8
a.m. An after-party will follow the competition. Admission is free. For
more information, visit www.volusia.org/motorcorps.
· Shriners Church Service: 1 p.m. July 9. Join the Shriners for a
nondenominational service at Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd.,
Daytona Beach.
·Shriners Nights of Music: 6 p.m. July 9 to 11. The Shriners will
host three free concerts at the Bandshell, 70 Boardwalk Ave., Daytona
Beach.
· Shriners Cigar and Whiskey Tasting: 7 p.m. July 9. Enjoy live
music, light food and cigar specials at Don Kiki Cigar Superstore, 1508
S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Admission is $100. Each participant
will receive a goodie bag with four cigars and cigar paraphernalia.
Register at http://imperial2017.com/cigar-
· Shriners Motorcycle Ride: 9 a.m. July 10. This is a
police-escorted ride and after-party starting on Main Street in Daytona
Beach. It includes a ride along the Atlantic Ocean and part of “The
Loop” up to Flagler Beach, a visit to Destination Daytona, and a
return trip to Daytona Beach. On-site registration will be from 9 to 10
a.m., with kickstands up at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $25 in advance or
$30 on July 10. For more information, visit www.volusia.org/motorcycle.
· Shriners Ballyhoo: 6 p.m. July 10. Meet at the coquina
clocktower on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk to enjoy live music by
Shriners from around the country. Admission is free.
· Shriners Cigar Smoke-out: 6 p.m. July 10. This evening will
feature entertainment, food and libations at the Bandshell. Admission is
$50 per person. Register
at http://imperial2017.com/events
tickets at the Bandshell.
· Shriners Night at the Ballpark: 6 p.m. July 10. Enjoy a night of
baseball and all-you-can-eat food at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 110 E.
Orange Ave., Daytona Beach. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and the game starts
at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $12 each, include hamburgers, hot dogs,
pizza and popcorn. Tickets can be purchased at the ballpark or online by
visiting www.volusia.org/ballpark.
· Shriners Parade, Fireworks and Music: 7 to 10 p.m. July
11. Watch the festive parade along A1A from Sun Splash Park to the Ocean
Center. Music and fireworks will follow at the Bandshell. Admission is
free.
·Fab Four Tribute: 6 p.m. July 12. The Emmy-winning Fab Four will
pay tribute to the Beatles during a concert at the Ocean Center. The
doors will open at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. General
admission is $25. Tickets are available at the Ocean Center box office
and online at www.volusia.org/fabfour.
For more information about the Imperial Session, visit
www.volusia.org/shriners or www.imperial2017.com.
Photo courtesy Oceancenter.com
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017
