United Nations of Beer

Shriners Shrimpfest

by Stacey Langille
(Nova Scotia)

What do you get when you have a Beer delivery truck loaded with kegs, several hundred thirsty and hungry guys and several thousand cooked shrimp? Well it’s the Shriners Shrimpfest of course.

A buddy of mine approached me regarding this event stating that it was his third year attending and that it was incredible fun so I had to go. He explained it was all you can drink keg tapped beer and all you can eat shrimp. At $50 a ticket paid, two months in advance, I had my doubts and so did some other friends. The thought of those guys zooming around the room on their little motorcycles and wearing those funny red hats did not really appeal to me but what can I say, he had at beer!

I filed the ticket away for safe keeping and really kind of forgot about it. The day of the event my buddy called and asked if I wanted a ride as the event started at 6pm and ran until 11pm. I had completely forgotten about it and had to work until 7pm so agreed to meet him at the Shriners hall where it was being held.

Not being a Shriner and never attending any events before I got a little lost walking to the hall. I actually walked past it twice and almost gave up the search but noticed their emblem or crest or whatever they call it on building as it was also printed on the ticket.

Upon entering the hall it kind of looked like someone’s wedding reception with tables and tons of people I did not know. The only difference was instead of bad music and an even worse buffet the beautiful scent of cooked shrimp hit me and I suddenly noticed all the pitchers of beer. There were several full pitchers on every table gleaming with there golden goodness. Finally I found the table my buddy was at and settled in for my first Shriner beer.

Around the table was an assortment of people most of whom I had never met before but soon became well acquainted with. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. There was red shirt guy, already drunk, smiling jokey guy, black shirt guy, yellow shirt guy, the cook, in pain guy, and of course beer rep guy.

Our table was a big attraction because of the table top cooker that no one else had brought that was simmering the shrimp in 5 different sauces. Everyone else was eating them cold but we were dining like kings and it didn’t take long for others to line up at our table begging for a few morsels.

The smell of cooked shrimp that hit me on the way in was from our table and our table alone. We had become the central point of the event. That’s how beer rep guy ended up at our table.

After my warm up glass of freshly poured keg beer I was ready for my shrimp. I thought it would be cool to keep count but after a few more warm up beers and multiple plates and sauces I lost count around 200 shrimp. For legal purposes I lost count of the beer really quick but I can tell you that $50 was very well spent. Beer rep guy even cracked a new keg for our table after much of the crowd had thinned out!

After a few hours of debauchery I had to admit that I was full. No longer did I want delicious shrimp or cold beer. Yes the beer too! I had eaten and drank to my limit, thinking I wonder if this was how the Romans dined?!

All I needed after this spectacular night was a safe ride home and like an angel of mercy my buddies daughter showed up to drive our asses home. As I lay in my bed head spinning stomach aching I no longer thought of the little motorcycles and funny red hats. I thought about the others who scoffed at the $50 ticket and I thought man those Shriners know how to party!!!

On a serious note all the Shrine activities do so much for our communities as their purpose as Shriners is to support the world’s greatest philanthropy the Shriners Hospitals and the young patients that they serve. Don’t forget the children, Cheers!