Shriner Magazine - Summer 2023

A Fabulous FEZ-tival

Here is some inspiration, whether it’s your temple’s annual event or you are looking to start one in 2023.

BEKTASH SHRINERS Concord, New Hampshire Started in 2001 with approximately 25 trees and believed to be the first Shriners Feztival of Trees, this event by Bektash Shriners has grown to about 128 fully decorated trees. Donated trees win awards such as Most Beautiful, Most Original, Best Theme and People's Choice. The judges are local radio and TV personalities. Bektash Chefs run the Candy Cane Cafe with various menu items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, homemade chili and other culinary delights too numerous to list here. “As the years passed, with the efforts of the Divan and our nobility, we have had radio and local newspaper interviews to promote our event. Now, our phones ring off the hook with folks calling to find out our hours and days that we are open long before the event is advertised,” said Tom Brison, Past Potentate and Recorder.

KORA SHRINERS , Lewiston, Maine

ARABIA SHRINERS , Houston, Texas Last year was Arabia's first time conducting a Fez tival of Trees, but this group of Shriners was not only not nervous, but was at the ready to help other temples with their event. “In just our first year, we hosted our Fez-tival of Trees and helped seven other temples who were either already conducting a Fez-tival event, or were looking at starting one in 2023,” said Assistant Rabban Ben LaBlanc. Held at the Sam Houston Race Park, the event saw more than 1,500 people walk through the doors, and close to $20,000 was raised to help the temple. More than 50 corporate sponsors sup

Kora will celebrate its 18th annual Fez-tival of Trees this year. The event has grown substantially over the years and in 2022 raised $295,000, a record amount. The value of the trees donated was just under $75,000. Crowds have grown so much that the weeklong event requires that people attend ing reserve a timeslot to visit. Kora’s Fez-tival of Trees features over 60 festively decorated evergreens, a craft fair, silent auction, kid’s corner and a food court.

ported the event, and they were treated to a VIP preview night the evening before the Grand Opening. Arabia Shriners also partnered with the Mrs. Claus Cookie Company to sell cookies and hot cocoa during the event.

Mexico Patients Tackle Physical Fitness Challenges

Patients in Mexico City got to huddle up like real players when NFL PLAY 60 visited Shriners Children's Mexico City last fall. NFL PLAY 60 is the National Football League’s youth health and wellness campaign that encourages kids to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Sponsored by NFL México, the event invited 50 patients to get pumped up and participate in NFL sports and inclusive activities with the mascots and cheerleaders from the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.

“Our goal is for our patients to experience the sporting spirit transmitted by a great organization like the NFL and to show patients that, regardless of disability, what is truly important is teamwork and the drive to get ahead, always following their goals and dreams,” said Mariano González, Shri ners for Children Mexico administrator. Arturo Olivé, general director of NFL México, appreciated the opportunity to promote physi cal activity among hospital patients. In addition, the NFL donated $5,000 to Shriners Children's Mexico City for the physical therapy area.

Learn more: NFL.com/PLAY60

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