A Weekend of Fellowship and Community at King Lodge No. 461: Rhythm & Roots Festival
This past weekend, King Lodge No. 461 had the honor of participating in Bristol’s annual Rhythm & Roots Festival, which brought over 30,000 attendees to the heart of the city for three days of music, community, and culture. Positioned at one of the main entrances to the festival, our lodge seized the opportunity to host a hot dog fundraiser on Friday and Saturday, raising money to support our lodge while deepening our connection with the local community and our fellow Masons from across the region.
Brother Mason Baker, our newest raised Master Mason, reflected on the weekend:
“This was a great and eventful weekend at King Lodge for the Rhythm & Roots Festival. We had the pleasure of meeting many traveling brothers from six different lodges, ranging from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Bluefield, West Virginia. They were drawn to our lodge by the magnificent square and compass painted on the side of our building, visible from State Street. It was an honor to show them around and introduce them to our museum, gift shop, preparation room, and the rich history of our lodge. The fellowship was remarkable, and we were able to raise funds while giving back to our community.”
The hot dog sale, led by Brothers Justin Plaster (WM), Mason Baker, Steven Morrell (JS), Lee Hoffnung (Tyler), Jeremy Kinnick (JD), and Robert “Hambone” Carrier, provided food for festival-goers and even extended hospitality to those in need. As Brother Mason Baker noted, the camaraderie and teamwork made the event a resounding success. One special moment came when a visiting brother from Harrisburg Lodge No. 629 in Pennsylvania, Brother Joe Krick stopped by to visit.
Brother Lee Hoffnung shared his thoughts on the significance of the event, stating:
“Our first Rhythm & Roots hot dog sale was successful on many levels. Our lodge enjoyed a weekend of fellowship, with our newly made Brother Mason Baker meeting his Masonic family. Traveling brothers from near and far visited us, and we even had inquiries about joining King Lodge and the Eastern Star. The event also sparked positive public interest in Freemasonry, and we were able to raise funds for the lodge’s ongoing efforts.”
Beyond the monetary success, this fundraiser was a shining example of our lodge’s commitment to charity and community support. Brother Robert Streeter, our Chaplain, connected the event with the values we uphold as Freemasons, reminding us of the lessons from Matthew 14:17-21, where loaves and fishes fed over five thousand without the use of money:
“In today’s world, it is not always possible to feed as many people in the same miraculous way, but the Brothers of King Lodge do what they can. We contribute to the welfare of others by sharing what we have, extending Brotherly Love to those in need. This hot dog sale during the festival was just one example of how Freemasonry strives to provide for the community at the lowest possible cost, and for those truly in need, freely.”
The weekend not only gave us the opportunity to raise funds but also to engage with the community, answer questions about Freemasonry, and make new connections. We were joined by many of our members and others who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
Thanks to everyone who participated, helped, and visited us over the weekend! It was a weekend full of fellowship, giving back, and living up to our Masonic values. We look forward to continuing our tradition of supporting the community and hope to see you at our next event.
If you’re interested in becoming a Freemason and learning more about what we do, we encourage you to visit our Contact Page and reach out to us. We’re always happy to answer any questions and welcome new Brothers into our ancient fraternity.
Article by collaboration with the Brothers from the event
