The Shriners are coming back to Myrtle Beach next week, the first time they've had their festival here in more than three years.

The Shriners festival always includes a parade and a golf tournament, but this time, it'll have a more serious purpose.

The Shriners have hospitals all over the country, offering free treatment to children with serious burns and other conditions. But this year, the Shriners will try to identify kids who need to be treated before they get to the hospital.

They're known for their parades, fez hats and funny little cars but the Shriners have a serious purpose raising money for their 22 children's hospitals.

At their fall festival in Myrtle Beach next week, doctors will reach out to find kids who need help.

"For the first time we're having the Shriners Hospital of Greenville having an orthopedic pre screening for infancy all the way up to age 18, with orthopedic problems," Rick Guignon, Shriner Director General, said.

Rick Guignon, the Director General for the South Atlantic Shriners group, says the festival will bring some 10,000 people to Myrtle Beach next week.

Other cities have hosted the event in the past, but they don't seem to be as popular. "They've picked Virginia Beach, they picked Pigeon Forge. and by far, Myrtle Beach gets the best turnout," Guignon said.

Guignon got involved with Shriners years ago, before he discovered in his own family what Shriners hospitals can do.

Last winter, his two-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and given a walker to help her get around. Then she went to a Shriners hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania for treatment. "We were up there in July. In July, she took her first steps and she's now running the full length of living room and back, so that's why we're involved," Guignon said.

Guignon and Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes will try to make the Grand Strand the permanent home for the Shriners Fall Festival.

They say it fills hotel rooms at a time of the year when the tourism industry really needs it.

The Shriners are coming back to Myrtle Beach next week, the first time they've had their festival here in more than three years.

The Shriners festival always includes a parade and a golf tournament, but this time, it'll have a more serious purpose.

The Shriners have hospitals all over the country, offering free treatment to children with serious burns and other conditions. But this year, the Shriners will try to identify kids who need to be treated before they get to the hospital.

They're known for their parades, fez hats and funny little cars but the Shriners have a serious purpose raising money for their 22 children's hospitals.

At their fall festival in Myrtle Beach next week, doctors will reach out to find kids who need help.

"For the first time we're having the Shriners Hospital of Greenville having an orthopedic pre screening for infancy all the way up to age 18, with orthopedic problems," Rick Guignon, Shriner Director General, said.

Rick Guignon, the Director General for the South Atlantic Shriners group, says the festival will bring some 10,000 people to Myrtle Beach next week.

Other cities have hosted the event in the past, but they don't seem to be as popular. "They've picked Virginia Beach, they picked Pigeon Forge. and by far, Myrtle Beach gets the best turnout," Guignon said.

Guignon got involved with Shriners years ago, before he discovered in his own family what Shriners hospitals can do.

Last winter, his two-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and given a walker to help her get around. Then she went to a Shriners hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania for treatment. "We were up there in July. In July, she took her first steps and she's now running the full length of living room and back, so that's why we're involved," Guignon said.

Guignon and Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes will try to make the Grand Strand the permanent home for the Shriners Fall Festival.

They say it fills hotel rooms at a time of the year when the tourism industry really needs it.