MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw may be one of the smallest cities to host the Midwest Shrine Association’s (MSA) summer convention, but organizers say it is poised to deliver big on hospitality, economic activity, and community pride.
From Aug. 20 to 23, hundreds of Shriners and their families will descend on the Friendly City for a four-day celebration of philanthropy, fellowship, and fun. With over 600 expected visitors and a packed schedule, it’s the largest Shrine-related gathering Moose Jaw will have ever seen.
“I made the bid on behalf of Moose Jaw back on Dec. 28, 2022, and we beat out other cities — much, much larger cities — to get this,” said Aaron Ruston, director general of the MSA 2025 event. “Most communities that host this have 200,000 or 300,000 people or more as residents. We have 37-and-a-half thousand (residents), but I have full faith in Moose Jaw … (and) in this province that we are going to represent very well. I know we can rock it.”
Public highlights include a community “meet and greet” on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds, where residents can meet Shriners, sit in tiny parade cars, and snap photos with members in full regalia.
Then on Saturday, Aug. 23, downtown Moose Jaw will host a grand parade along Main Street from 10:30 a.m. to noon, complete with motor patrols, music, and pageantry.
“It is a Shriners event, but … we want the community to engage — come out and see what the Shriners do. That’s really what it’s about,” Ruston said.
A tourism boost for Moose Jaw
Hosting both the winter and summer sessions of the Midwest Shrine Association in a single year has already given Moose Jaw’s hospitality industry a significant lift. Between the February business conference and the upcoming summer celebration, more than 1,700 hotel room nights have been booked, according to Ruston.
“We (already) have well over 300 hotel rooms booked (for August) … It’ll be great for the restaurants (and) it’ll be great for the retail stores,” he said.
In addition to meals and lodging, visiting Shriners will take part in various local excursions, including tours of 15 Wing, the Anderson Auto & Memorabilia Collection, the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, and the Tunnels of Moose Jaw — with tunnel actors continuing to make an appearance throughout the conference to tie in Moose Jaw’s “Notorious City” theme.
Ruston said the idea is to leave a lasting impression, encouraging visiting families to return in the future.
“We want people and their families to come back. When they’re six or seven hours away … they’re more apt to come back,” he said, noting the event’s focus on drawing return visits from regional travellers already within road trip range.
Collector coins
One unique feature of the summer convention is a custom-designed collector coin, available for $20 to both Shriners and community members. The coin acts as a token of appreciation — and a discount card — offering exclusive deals at participating businesses throughout the week.
Local businesses can sign up as “collector coin business partners,” which includes displaying a “Welcome Shriner Visitors” sign, offering a small discount or incentive to coin holders, and receiving promotion leading up to and during the event. Participating businesses will also be entered into a $1,000 draw, awarded to the business voted most welcoming by visiting Shriners and their families.
The participation fee is $50, and all proceeds from coin sales support Shriners’ philanthropic programs. For more information, contact Darroch Cairns at 306-690-4985.
As the city prepares to welcome guests from across North America, Ruston offered one last message to residents: “When you see visitors — people who look like they’re wondering where to go — just say ‘Hello, can I help you?’ We’ve really been pumping that this is the Friendly City … (and visitors should) feel at home.”
For more information, including a full event schedule, search “Midwest Shrine Association MSA 2025” on Facebook or visit MSA2025.com.
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