Although it was hot, humid and sometimes stormy, Saturday was a great day in Emporia.
The Shrine Bowl took over the town all day Saturday, from the early morning run to the game that night, and it was a great success.
The Shrine Bowl is perhaps the biggest and most carefully organized charity event in Kansas, and it aimed to include everybody. While the whole city would not fit in Welch Stadium for the game, the parade Saturday morning was available to all, as were the downtown activities for children.
Also free and open to all who needed them were the children’s health screenings at the Flint Hills Community Health Center. The screenings provide a gateway — one of many — for children who might benefit from the excellent, specialized free care provided by the Shriners’ hospitals.
And the lack of a ticket was no reason not to see the game. In spite of early technical difficulties, the broadcast of the game on Topeka’s public television station provided the best seat in the stadium. The broadcast was flawlessly professional. The only thing lacking was a blimp.
The game was worth the attention. The East and West teams were perfectly matched, as shown by the 29-28 final score. The game was exciting all the way, and was not settled until a 2-point conversion by the West team in the final 20 seconds.
And it was not only the two teams that shone. The band, composed of the finest high school musicians in Kansas, gave a fine halftime performance. Unfortunately, an earlier rain delay made it necessary to shorten the performance. The cheerleaders, too, entertained the crowd with their athleticism and style. It was a fine end to a fine day.
The Shrine Bowl is not a commercial operation, but a volunteer effort. Thanks to the volunteers — Shriners and others — Saturday’s Emporia gala raised a lot of money to help support the Shriners’ children’s hospitals.
It was a great effort in a great cause.