You’ve seen them. If you’ve lived in Kansas City for more than a week, or at least attended a single St. Patrick's Day parade downtown, you have definitely seen the guys in the red hats driving those miniature cars. It’s iconic. It's almost a local law that the Ararat Shrine Kansas City must appear at every major community gathering, buzzing around in circles and waving at kids. But here’s the thing: most people I talk to have absolutely no clue what’s actually happening behind the scenes at that massive building off I-435 and Eastwood Trafficway. They think it’s just a social club for retired guys who like parades. Honestly? That is barely scratching the surface of what this organization does for the region.
The Ararat Shriners are part of Shriners International, but the Kansas City chapter has a flavor all its own. Established back in 1888, it’s one of the older "temples" in the country. It’s a fraternity, sure, but it’s basically a massive logistics engine for pediatric healthcare. While the world sees the fezzes and the tassels, the real work is the staggering amount of money and coordination they pour into the Shriners Children’s healthcare system. It’s kind of wild when you think about it—a group of men in 19th-century Middle Eastern-inspired regalia basically acting as a primary funding vein for some of the most advanced burn and orthopedic care on the planet.
The Massive Building on the Hill
If you’re driving the 435 loop on the east side, you can’t miss the Ararat Shrine Center. It looks like a fortress. Or maybe a mid-century convention center. It sits at 5100 Ararat Drive, and it is a hive of activity that goes way beyond secret handshakes.
Inside, the place is huge. We’re talking about a grand ballroom that can hold over a thousand people. People rent it for weddings, quinceañeras, and corporate events, which is one of the ways they keep the lights on. But the heart of the building is the specialized "units." This is where the sub-cultures of the Shrine live. You’ve got the greeters, the directors' staff, and of course, the motorized units. Each group has its own room, its own history, and its own specific job to do during the big fundraisers.
It’s not just a clubhouse. It’s a hub. It’s where they coordinate the "hospital runs." This is the part people forget. If a child in Kansas City has a severe orthopedic issue or a life-altering burn, and their family can’t afford the specialized care needed, the Ararat Shriners step in. They don’t just write a check. Often, they provide the transportation. They have a fleet of vans and dedicated volunteers—usually retired guys with hearts of gold—who drive families to the Shriners Hospitals in St. Louis or Chicago. All on the house. No bill. No "processing fees." Just neighbors helping neighbors because that’s what the charter says they have to do.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rituals
Let’s be real. The Freemason connection weirds some people out. Because you have to be a Master Mason to even apply to be a Shriner, there’s this aura of "Secret Society" mystery hanging over the Ararat Shrine Kansas City.
People ask me, "Is it a cult?"
No. Not even close. If it were a cult, the meetings would probably be way more intense and way less focused on how many pounds of pulled pork they need for the next rib cook-off.
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The rituals are mostly about tradition and moral lessons. It’s theater. It’s a way to bind a group of men together with a common set of values—integrity, charity, and fellowship. The "secrets" are mostly just passwords and handshakes that have stayed the same for over a hundred years. It’s more about the bond than it is about some world-dominating agenda. Their actual agenda is significantly more wholesome: raising enough money to make sure a kid can walk again.
The Units: Not Just the Mini-Cars
Everyone loves the cars. The "Ararat Mini-Indy" guys are the rockstars of the local parade circuit. But the Ararat Shrine has dozens of other units that do equally cool (and sometimes weirder) stuff.
- The Pipes and Drums: They’ll melt your face off with bagpipes. It’s loud, it’s traditional, and it’s surprisingly difficult to get into. You have to actually be good at the pipes.
- The Brew Crew: This is a newer addition. It’s exactly what it sounds like—Shriners who are into craft beer and homebrewing. It’s a way they’re attracting a younger demographic, moving away from the "old man" stereotype.
- The Clowns: Known as the "A-Team," these guys go through actual training. Being a Shrine clown isn't just about putting on paint; it’s about "clown ethics" and knowing how to interact with kids who might be scared or in pain.
- The Mounted Guard: Though less common in the middle of the city now, they’ve historically had strong equestrian ties.
The diversity of these groups is what keeps the organization alive. If you like motorcycles, there’s a unit for you. If you like flying planes, there’s the "Flying Fezzes." It’s basically a way to take a hobby and weaponize it for charity.
The Economic Impact on Kansas City
We need to talk about the Shrine Circus. For decades, the Ararat Shrine Circus was the event of the year at Kemper Arena (now Hy-Vee Arena) or the T-Mobile Center. It’s one of the longest-running circuses in the country.
While the traditional circus model has changed—largely due to evolving views on animal welfare and the rise of digital entertainment—the Ararat Shrine has adapted. They still put on massive shows that draw thousands of families into the city. This generates significant tax revenue for Kansas City and keeps local vendors busy.
But the real economic impact is the healthcare "off-loading." When the Shriners cover a $200,000 surgery for a local kid, that is $200,000 that doesn't have to come out of state Medicaid or local tax-funded health programs. They are a massive safety net that most people don't realize is there until they actually need it.
How to Actually Get Involved
You don’t just walk in and buy a hat. It doesn’t work like that.
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First, you have to become a Mason. That involves finding a local Blue Lodge (there are dozens in the KC metro, from Liberty to Olathe). You "ask one to be one." Once you’ve progressed through the three degrees of Masonry, then you can petition to join Ararat.
It’s a commitment.
But if you aren’t looking to join the fraternity, you can still be part of the mission. The Ararat Shrine Kansas City is constantly looking for "Road Runners." These are the folks who help with the hospital transport. You don't have to be a Shriner to support the hospitals. You can donate directly to the Shriners Children's fund, and you can specify that you want your donation to stay local to the Ararat jurisdiction.
The Future of the Fez in KC
Is the Ararat Shrine dying? Some people think so because the average age of members crept up for a while. But honestly, I'm seeing a shift.
There’s a trend right now—especially in Kansas City—where younger men are looking for community. In a world of Discord servers and remote work, the idea of a physical building where you can go, grab a beer, work on a parade car, and actually help sick kids is becoming weirdly "cool" again.
The Ararat Shriners are leaning into this. They’re hosting more public events, like "Feztival of Trees" during the holidays, where the public can come into the building, see the decor, and get a feel for the place without any of the "secret society" pressure.
They are also modernizing their communication. You’ll find them on Facebook and Instagram, documenting their trips to the hospitals and their presence at the American Royal. They’re realizing that to survive the next 100 years, they have to be transparent about the good they do.
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Why This Matters to You
Maybe you don't care about parades. Maybe you don't like hats.
It still matters.
The Ararat Shrine Kansas City represents a type of "social capital" that is disappearing. It’s a group of people who show up. They show up for the city, they show up for each other, and most importantly, they show up for kids who have been dealt a tough hand in life.
When you see those little cars zipping around at the next parade, don’t just laugh. Remember that those guys are likely the same ones who woke up at 4:00 AM last Tuesday to drive a family to St. Louis for a life-changing surgery. That’s the real story of the Ararat Shrine. It’s not the car; it’s the driver.
Actionable Ways to Support the Mission
If you want to support the work the Ararat Shriners do in the Kansas City area, you don't have to join the lodge. Here is how you can actually help:
- Attend the Events: When they host a pancake breakfast, a circus, or a craft fair at the center on Ararat Drive, go. The proceeds from these events often go toward the "Hospital Transportation Fund."
- The "Pull Tab" Program: Many local bars and organizations collect the aluminum pull tabs from soda and beer cans. These are recycled, and the money goes directly to the Shriners Children’s orthopedic programs. It sounds small, but they collect them by the ton.
- Refer a Patient: If you know a family with a child struggling with orthopedic issues, cleft lip/palate, or burn scars, tell them about the Shriners. The application for care is straightforward, and the Ararat greeters can help navigate the process.
- Rent the Hall: If you’re planning a big event, check out their ballroom. It’s one of the most affordable large-scale venues in the city, and the rental fee helps maintain the facility that serves as the operations base for their charity work.
The Ararat Shrine isn't a relic of the past. It’s a functioning, vital part of Kansas City’s social fabric that continues to bridge the gap between "having fun" and "doing serious good." Whether they are in a parade or a hospital hallway, their presence makes the city a little bit better.