SALLY ANN SHURMUR Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:00 am
The 36th annual Shrine Bowl High School All-Star football game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, but before that, there are two days' worth of activities for families to enjoy.
Beginning at 9 a.m. today, children and fans of all ages, in addition to the players' families and friends, can meet the Shrine Bowl players and take part in Picture Day activities on Dick Cheney Field at Natrona County High School Stadium. Each team will take the field for approximately a half hour, beginning at 9 a.m.
The annual banquet honoring the teams begins at 7 p.m. tonight at the Parkway Plaza Hotel. Tickets for the prime rib dinner are $20 each and may be reserved by calling 235-5693. Each player is introduced and receives numerous awards at the event. The guest speaker is Tanner Kelting of Gillette, who played in the Wyoming Shrine Bowl in 2004. A recent graduate of Jamestown (N.D.) College, he is now teaching and coaching in his hometown of Gillette.
On Saturday, the fun begins early with a pancake breakfast free to all. Originally started by the Casper Kiwanis Club (the pancake people) to welcome contestants and fans to town for the College National Finals Rodeo, it now is a community-wide celebration and happens to occur just before the Shrine Bowl Parade.
Pancakes will be served from 7:30 to 10 a.m., just outside the Casper Elks Lodge front doors on Seventh Street between Center and Wolcott at City Park.
At 10:30 a.m., the parade begins from Park School at Ninth and Center, makes its way north on Center to Bush-Wells Sporting Goods, turns east one block and loops back up on Wolcott Street around City Park, ending at Ninth Street.
The highlight of this year's parade is the appearance of the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, which will also provide the Color Guard to begin the parade. Shrine units from the region are expected to be in attendance with their various forms of unique transportation, sure to delight "kids" of all ages.
When the parade concludes, the Troopers will reassemble in City Park for a bonus standstill performance.
Beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, a tailgate barbecue to benefit the Shriners will be held on Oak Street just outside the entrance to Natrona County High School Stadium. Food and nonalcoholic beverages are available for purchase until game time.
Pregame festivities, including the introduction of each player and his family, begins promptly at 6:15 p.m. in the stadium. The Troopers will provide the Color Guard for the game and perform the National Anthem prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff. Game tickets are $5 each, available at the gate, and each carries a coupon for a giant-sized soft drink at any Loaf-n-Jug convenience store.
Last year, the Shrine Bowl was able to raise approximately $30,000 for Shriners Intermountain Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, which the players visit each year during their pregame preparations.
Shrine Bowl executive director T.J. Claunch welcomed a game corporate sponsor who paid $10,000 for the first time this year.
"We really needed it and we are grateful," Claunch said.
Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog