1977 Imperial Session Program Book

This program book from the 1977 Imperial Session gives a glimpse of what life was like for the Shriners during that time. The 1977 Imperial Session was held July 3-8, in New York City at the New York Hilton, but many Session-related events were also held at the Americana Hotel, Waldorf Astoria and Roosevelt Hotel.  

The book contains welcome letters from President Jimmy Carter, New York Mayor Abraham D. Beame, New York Governor Hugh L. Carey, Imperial Potentate Peter Val Preda, Mecca Potentate Arthur Krebs and Director General Sydney M. Schwartz. 

The event featured two Shriner parades – a day parade and a night parade – both held on Central Park West, Broadway and Times Square.  

Another highlight of the 1977 Imperial Session was the Yacht Festival Jamboree: “Sailboats representing Yacht Clubs of the Tri-State area will participate in Harbor Sail Festival. This festival will be reviewed by the Imperial Potentate, Mayor of New York City who will review the floats from the fantail of the square-rigged ship Peking, which is permanently docked at South Street Seaport.”