Although Dartmouth football has not begun yet, there will be a game on Alumni Field this Saturday which also includes a future Dartmouth player.
This game is in support of the Shriner's hospitals, and is one of 40 played across the country. The one in Hanover is the third largest.
Aside from the football game, there is also a parade beforehand that goes through downtown Hanover.
It begins at noon in front of Alumni Field, goes down Lebanon Street to Main Street, then to the Green and around to Wheelock Street, and back to Alumni Field.
The parade is an event also replicated around the country. The one in Hanover is expected to draw about 10,000 people and last about an hour and a half.
In past years the parade route included more of Main Street, down to Maynard Street and around to the Green.
Students were able to come out and sit on the curb to see it pass by.
The parade contains Shriners from 12 temples from across the Northeast and Canada. In the United States, the whole organization has a membership of over 600,000 people.
Also featured in the parade are clowns, horses, funny cars, and high school marching bands from the area.
The game is played for the benefit of children who have to be in the Shriner hospitals.
In Hanover the proceeds from the game have raised over $4 million in 45 years. Last year's game brought in $180,000.
There are 22 orthopedic hospitals around the United States maintained by the Shriners.
They also support three hospitals designated especially for burn victims that are children, one of which is in Boston.
The football game is played between the all stars of Vermont and New Hampshire high schools. They are all 1999 graduates, and most are headed to college this coming fall.
For a preview of perhaps a future Dartmouth star, don't miss the game on Saturday.
One player on the New Hampshire team is Benjamin Young '03.
He graduated from Concord High School in June. His two older brothers were also on the Dartmouth football team, and both captains in their respective years. One of them was Adam Young, who graduated this year.
The football game is scheduled to begin at 12:30, and about 15,000 people are expected to attend.
The Shriners were Masons first, and are a similar organization. The Shrine began in 1876. For almost 50 years, they didn't have a formal cause that they chose to support.
In 1922, a children's hospital in Louisiana was entirely devastated by a hurricane.
The Shriners in the area came together and gave the support to rebuild the hospital.
That was how the effort to help children's hospitals began.
In the past 10 years, most of the hospitals supported by the Shriners have been rebuilt and completely redone.
The Dartmouth football season doesn't begin for another month, so come out on Saturday and get a preview of what's in store.
Enjoy what's sure to be an exciting football game while supporting a great cause.
