Zor Shriners - Madison, Wisconsin

Zor Shrine has 28 active Units through out its territory. What is a Shrine Unit? It is a small group of Shriners that have an interest in the type of activity the Unit provides along with the fun, fellowship and camaraderie that is experienced through association with other Shriners. There are 5 musical units, 9 motorized varying from small mopeds, mini cars, ATV’s to the full size Harley’s. There are 6 clown units and 2 live animal units, the Camel & Horse Patrol along with 6 miscellaneous type units.

Most of the Units participate in community parades or provide entertainment at nursing or retirement homes, children’s events or community activities. To get in contact with a Unit for a parade or event refer to Zor’s Home Page for address or phone number.

To obtain more information on specific meeting dates & locations, Unit
activities or how to contact the Captain or Director, check the Zor Calendar
or contact the Zor Shrine Office.

The Camel Patrol is a family unit as all of our activities include the Ladies and other family members. We currently have 4 real live Camels that are housed on a farm south of Madison. We take the camels to community parades, Shrine functions and also give free camel rides in various communities. Patrol members spend considerable time training the Camels. We have an annual Chief Rabban party, a Spring Fling party, an Old Timers party and any other good excuse for a party which includes wives and family. The Unit has about 50 members of which about 30 participate in training, parades and ride sessions.

Quarterly business meetings are held February, May, August & November with time and place at the call of the President.

MADISON

The Color Guard carries or presents the national colors of the 4 countries in which there is a Shrine Chapter located, United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. This would include public events where invited to participate or official Shrine functions. Leading a Shrine parade is a premier event.

The Color Guard does not currently hold regular business meetings. Rather, three social meetings are held: spring, summer and Christmas season. The Guard would like to have 16 members so members can alternate at events.

Birth date of the Zor Clown Unit was May 1938, we are the oldest Clown Unit in Shrinedom.

Meeting are held the 2^nd Tuesday of each month. The Unit performs at 20 -24 parades each year. Attends all Circus performances, plus multiple engagements as requested through out the year.

Purpose: To promote a positive outlook of Shrinedom, by putting smiles on everyone’s face, providing good clean fun while promoting awareness of Shiners Hospital for Children.

We hold many family meetings and dinner outings, and welcome anyone who is interested in becoming a clown or joining our Unit.

MADISON

The concert band members come from Madison and surrounding areas. The band has a full compliment of band instruments. On occasion a small group will perform as the Booster Band. They perform in numerous parades riding on a large trailer. They also play a number of community concerts throughout the year. They practice on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesdays, October through May at 7:30 PM at the Zor Shrine Center.

The Director Staff is responsible for putting on the initiation ceremony for new Shriners. They provide most of the committee heads for the 3 day Madison Circus. They also operate a concession stand at Camp Randall for the U of W football games. They meet on the first Wednesday in January, April, August and November at various locations and times.

The Drum Corp is a brass and percussion unit with about 18 active members. They participate in about 20 + parades and performances per year. In most parades they ride on a trailer. They practice every Wednesday night at the Mehara Shrine Center.

The Escort Patrol is a motorcycle unit with each unit member owning his own full size Harley Davidson. In the past the Unit has ridden in many community parades. Currently the Unit is having a difficult time getting enough riders to participate, so they are not accepting any parade engagements. The Unit meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Maple Tree Restaurant in McFarland.

The Firehouse Jesters are a clown unit from the La Crosse area. They have an antique fire truck that the Clowns drive in many of their parades. They participate in 12 to 15 parades per year. They meet at the La Crosse Masonic Center on the first and third Mondays, May through September and on the first Monday of the month October through April.

The Hospital Dads is a group of Shriners who volunteer their time to transport Shriners Hospital patients and their family to either the Chicago or Twin Cities hospitals. Zor Shriners have hospital transport vans located in Madison, Janesville, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. When a van makes a trip, in addition to the driver there must be a rider who is not related to the patient. Therefore, if you do not want to be a driver you can volunteer to be a rider.

Sometimes the days can be long, by the time you travel from your home base to pick up the patient, then to the Hospital, deliver the patient home then back to your home base. However, the reward is great. To see the results of the care provided to the children by Shriners Hospitals for Children and the appreciation of the family makes you feel great to be a Shriner.

There are occasional training session, throughout the State, for drivers and riders to help understand policies and procedures. If you are not already a Hospital Dad, why not get your name on the Chairman’s list.

The Flambeau Clowns participate in 10 to 12 parades a year in northern Wisconsin. The unit in addition to its walking clowns, has a miniature circus wagon and calliope which are pulled by miniature ATV’s which are ridden by clowns. The unit meets as needed at various locations.

The Funsters are a clown unit from the Wisconsin Rapids area. They have about 13 members and participate in about 20 parades and clown events a year. They are available throughout the year and cover an area from as far north as Minocqua to Wisconsin Dells in the south. The unit has a 1902 Flint (horseless carriage),scooters, bicycles and walking clowns. They meet about 3 times a year at the call of the Director.

The Horseman is a group of Shriners who ride their horses in parades. They also have a stage coach that is pulled by a team of horses. They meet as needed at various locations.

INDIANHEAD CLOWNS

RICE LAKE/CHETEK

The newest group in Zor land is a Statewide group for anyone who has or is interested in Klassic Kars. We meet every other month in different locations and after the meeting take a ride weather permitting. Our fundraising has been with a car raffle each year. We only parade when asked to escort local dignitaries. This is a social group and our definition of a Klassic Kar is anything YOU think is Klassic.

WAUTOMA

The Zor Mavericks were chartered in Wautoma, Wisconsin in 1984. The members ride 1986 red Honda Sprees, participating in over 25 parades each summer around central Wisconsin. This colorful unit does precision maneuvers that delight young and old alike. The unit is available for parades from May through September. For more information contact The Mavericks at Box 1064, Wautoma, WI 54982.

The Midgets are a motorized unit consisting of 14 -1964-replica model Ford T-Birds. This unit participates in 12 – 15 parades each season. The unit is based out of the Mauston area with members from Portage to Sparta and in between. Most of the parades this unit does are within the west central part of the State. The practices and meetings are normally held in early May in Mauston and throughout the summer during parades. They hold no regularly scheduled meetings.

The Mini Car Unit rides a variety of miniature vehicles from race cars, sports cars, vans, trucks, and semis. They have 20+ different vehicles. They ride in 15 to 20 parades each year. They assist the Directors Staff in operating the concession stand at Camp Randall for U of W football games. They normally meet on the 4 th Thursday of each month at various locations.

The unit has just recently purchased 12 matching 50cc Yamaha cycles to replace their 1976 bikes. They ride in 8 to 10 parades a year in the northern Wisconsin area. Prior to parade season they practice on Wednesday nights. They hold business meeting, one in the spring and one in the fall at various locations.

The Noblemen is a group of talented musicians who make up a “big band” dance band. They enjoy playing the 50’s era big band tunes. They are available to play for general public events.

The Nomads are a motorcycle unit riding Suzuki 650 cycles. They have 16 matching cycles but not enough riders. They ride in numerous community parades. On the 4 th of July they ride in 5 different parades in the Oneida County area. They practice on Wednesday evenings during parade the season at various locations.

The Oriental Band is a unit that play musettes and percussion instruments. The Unit is becoming inactive in playing for parades but will try to play for Zor functions. Meetings are at the call of the Captain.

The Road Runners are a Unit of eight go carts that perform crowd pleasing routines in parades. They participate in approximately 20 parades each year in the northwest part of the State. They hold a business meeting in the spring and fall at the call of the Officers.

The Sawdusters is a clown unit that participates in 15 to 20 events per year. This includes parades, school and birthday parties and store openings. They also have a clown truck they use in parades. They hold a monthly business meeting on the first Thursday of the month at the Mehara Center. They also hold a family get together once a month at various times and locations.

To be a member of the Zor Veterans Patrol you must have served in the United States military or have been a member of a Zor Unit for at least 5 years. The unit is responsible for selling Masonic and Shrine jewelry at Shrine events. They are attempting to broaden their area of membership to include areas outside of Madison. They meet periodically at various locations.

The Wausauken Indians are a parading unit that participate in 10 to 15 events each year. They meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Masonic Center in Wausau at 7:00.

MADISON

MADISON

INDIANHEAD CLOWNS

RICE LAKE/CHETEK

WAUTOMA

WRANGLERS

OREGON/STOUGHTON