MSA 2009 SUMMER SESSION PRELIMINARY INFORMATION as of  July, 2007

Preliminary general information for the 2009 Midwest Shrine Association Summer Session to be held in Rochester, Minnesota August 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2009. 

The Radisson Plaza Hotel, with 211 rooms, located downtown will be the headquarters Hotel. 

We will have two parades on Thursday evening, in Byron and Stewartville, with six Shrine Centers in each. Byron and Stewartville are each about 10 miles from Rochester on freeway class highways and are ‘bedroom’ communities which will allow more people to view our parades.

There will be a combined Oasis at the Rochester Fairgrounds following the parades. Note: The Fairgrounds is the animal housing, horse competition, motor corps competition, and parade storage area.

The Saturday parade will be in a residential area of Rochester ending at the Rochester Fairgrounds with a ‘Bon Voyage’ Oasis. 

Competition is Friday at the Fairgrounds, Apache Mall, and Mayo Civic Theater.

We hope to have Units that do not participate in formal competition to perform at various locations in the city.

A decision has not been made by the Osman Divan as to individual counterpart get-togethers on Wednesday evening. More to follow! 

Registration classes and fees have not yet been determined, but we will have a very active Ladies program and are considering kids programs to attract our younger Nobles and their families. Plan now for a full and fun list of activities every Noble, their Lady, and family can enjoy! 

Friday evening will highlight our Shrine A Rama dinner and entertainment.  We are actively pursuing professional entertainers for us to enjoy.

The Rochester area has over 4,500 high quality rooms in every price range. Our local Housing Co-Chairman is Mark Anderson, owner of the Holiday Inn South, who is working to arrange appropriate housing for all within a mile of each other and all of the competitions and other events.  No other MSA site has offered this convenience!

The Rochester area has a lot of things to offer to visitors to our community, including an endless array of restaurants to suit any palette.  There are magnificent attractions, theatres, restaurants, sporting events, and entertainment located in the heart of the city. Plan to come and enjoy the multitude of options available. There is truly something for everyone!

 Visit The Rochester Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.rochestercvb.org  to see what we have missed.  Mark your calendar for the third week of August 2009 and come to Rochester to participate in the 2009 Midwest Shrine Association Summer session. 

                                revised 01/27/2008