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Final preparations are underway for the Midwest Shrine Association Summer Conference, which will bring more than 500 Shriners and their families to Moose Jaw from August 20 to 23.
It’s the first time the summer conference has ever been hosted in a city this size — and local organizer Aaron Ruston says it’s an opportunity to show off what makes Moose Jaw special.
“We’ve got people coming from six states and three provinces,” Ruston said. “They’ll be doing tours of the RCMP Museum, 15 Wing, the Tunnels, Temple Gardens, the Western Development Museum — everything. And what we want is for them to fall in love with the community and come back.”
The Midwest Shrine Association includes chapters from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. The Summer Conference is one of two annual gatherings — the other, held each February, focuses on internal business and finances. Moose Jaw hosted that event earlier this year.
Ruston says the August conference is the celebration side of the organization’s mission. While business will be conducted in closed sessions at the Heritage Inn, most of the event is aimed at community connection and visibility.
“This is more than just a Shriner event. This is a Moose Jaw event,” Ruston said. “We’ve invited the public in for the marketplace, the parade, and especially the meet-and-greet on Thursday night. It’s all about fun, connection, and putting smiles on people’s faces.”
Community and Collaboration
The public marketplace will run Thursday and Friday at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds, alongside a large-scale community meet-and-greet on Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Food trucks and local vendors will be on-site, with Shriners mingling in full regalia.
“It’s going to be a spectacle,” Ruston said. “We’ve got local service clubs like the Kinsmen helping with the parade, the Eagles Club running our Friday night speakeasy for members, and Girl Guides helping with childcare. It’s Moose Jaw people working together to make this happen.”
The main event for many residents will be the Shriners Parade, set for Saturday, August 23 at 11:00 a.m. The parade begins at Town 'n' Country Mall, heading down Main Street to Manitoba Street. Ruston hopes to see Main Street lined all the way down with spectators.
Ruston stressed that only Shriners will march in the parade, citing insurance and safety requirements. That includes multiple Shrine units with vehicles, bands, and colourful marching groups.
Supporting the Event
The City of Moose Jaw is playing a substantial role in supporting the conference. In July 2024, city council unanimously approved $50,000 worth of in-kind support, including:
- Free transit passes for attendees
- Parade permits and staff support
- Temporary downtown parking passes
- 500 recreation passes
- Promotional coverage through city platforms
- 300 challenge coins and 1,100 commemorative lapel pins
The mayor and members of city council praised the event in council chambers last year during discussions of how the city could help, highlighting the tourism potential and the opportunity for economic spinoff.
Ruston agrees, saying the exposure will ripple long after the conference ends.
“They’re coming here for a few days — but they’ll remember it. And they’ll talk about it,” he said.
"I just know if we represent Moose Jaw properly — the Shriners as well as the community itself — I know these are going to be people that are going to want to bring their families back for other vacations. So, this will just be their first stop of many."
The entire conference agenda, and more, is at msa2025.com.