History of Imperial Session Parades
Each year at Imperial Session, Shriners host their biggest parade of the year. Here’s a look at a history of the Imperial Session Parade.
1892
The first time a parade was held at Imperial Session was in Omaha, Nebraska in 1892. The Chief of Police headed the parade with a squad of policemen. There were 1,600 Shriners that participated in the parade including drum corps, infantry bands, camels and prancing Arabian steeds. The highlight of the event was a mechanical elephant constructed by Moslem Shriners that trumpeted “Shriners Welcome” when his trunk was pulled.
1893
Eleven thousand tricolored gaslights were installed for the parade at the 19th Imperial Session in Cincinnati, Ohio. The parade started off with a burst of fireworks and a red light was lit along the entire marching line.
1900
At the 26th Imperial Session, representatives from 82 temples marched in a Washington, DC parade reviewed by President William McKinley. As the parade passed by President McKinley each band played “Hail to the Chief.”
1923
At the 49th Imperial Session, Shriner and President Warren G. Harding watched the parade from the viewing standing by the side of the Imperial Potentate. After the parade, President Harding spoke to the crowd for 20 minutes about the joys of fraternity.
1949
The parade at the 75th Imperial Session featured comedian and Shriner Red Skelton leading a camel and Roy Rogers riding his horse Trigger.
1949
The parade at the 75th Imperial Session featured comedian and Shriner Red Skelton leading a camel and Roy Rogers riding his horse Trigger.
1951 & 1953
Millions of spectators lined the streets of Fifth Avenue in New York City to
watch the parades at the 77th and 79th Imperial Sessions.
Radio and television press were present, giving national attention to the
fraternity.
1970
Buzz Aldrin, the first Shriner to walk on the moon, was the Grand Marshal of the 96th Imperial Session parade in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2006
The Shriners host their first outdoor “nightshirt parade” at the 132nd Imperial Session in Tampa, Florida.
2013
More than 600 clowns participate in the parade at the 139th Session in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2017 & 2018
Shriner and NASCAR driver, David Ragan drove his Shriners Hospitals for Children branded car in the 143rd and 144th Imperial Session parades in Daytona Beach, Florida.
