On December 1, 2024, I traded my formal lodge attire for something a bit more… prehistoric. I made the two-and-a-half-hour drive down to the ACCA Shrine Center in Richmond to join Sassafras Quarry No. 3 of the Loyal Order of Water Buffalo.

For anyone who grew up watching The Flintstones, the Water Buffaloes have always held a certain legendary status. It’s a “family fun” degree often conferred at Shriners’ temples, open to Masons, their ladies, and their children. I’ve heard about this degree for years, and it has always piqued my interest as a way to blend the fraternity’s values with pure, nostalgic fun.

I didn’t want to just attend; I wanted to look the part. I arrived in a full Fred Flintstone costume, complete with a cyan tie. Walking into a room with nearly 200 people—all there for the same lighthearted purpose—was unforgettable.

The ceremony was a delight, filled with the kind of humor and joy that make these attendant experiences so memorable. To cap off the theme, the post-meal treats even included Fruity Pebbles. It was a reminder that while our work in the Blue Lodge is serious, there is a vital place for family and laughter in our Masonic journey.

Since that day, my Fred Flintstone outfit and my furry blue Water Buffalo hat with horns have found a permanent home in my car. I like to be ready for a costume change at a moment’s notice.

In fact, I’ve been known to walk around town in a full suit while wearing the blue-horned hat. It’s a guaranteed way to turn heads in Front Royal, and nothing beats the feeling of someone shouting “Grand Poobah!” from across the street.