Pennsylvania Grand Assembly
Posted in Blog on August 10th, 2026 by Christi ReedOn July 8-12, 2026, Pennsylvania Rainbow girls hosted their annual Grand Assembly at the Jaffa Shrine Center in Altoona, PA. Their theme for this year was “Friendship Takes Flight with Pennsylvania Rainbow.” For their Grand Worthy Advisor Sarah’s term, her mascot was Dumbo the elephant. Dumbo went with her throughout the year, going to state wide events and bringing joy everywhere he went. Her symbols were Magic Feathers, Bubbles, and Hot Air Balloons. The flower of the term was a yellow sunflower, which was all over the Grand East. Her colors were Baby Elephant Blue and Roundtop Red. These colors were worn by the Grand Representatives on the grand floor all week long. Her service project was the Children’s Miracle Network. The state’s Charity for the year was “My Stuff Bags”, which PA raised over 16 thousand dollars for!
Day 1, on July 8th, the Grand Officers and Representatives had practiced all day to prepare for the informal opening later that night. My mom and I got on the road around 10 am. Although the car ride was 6 hours long, we made it fun. We told stores, listened to music, and looked at the mountains. When we got there, my counterpart Katelyn welcomed my mom and I with open arms. She introduced me to all of her Assembly and other girls. After dinner, we went to Jaffa Shrine Center for the informal opening at 7 pm. The Grand Representatives and Officers had their own walk-in, like a little cavalcade. Then, the Reps and Officers walked in together and sat in their positions. One thing I noticed is that the Reps have their own dresses and get to sit on the Grand Floor. After the meeting, we went downstairs to have dinner and a dance!
Day 2, on July 9th, we had a formal opening in the morning. During this meeting, all other out of state guests did their speeches. Their formal opening is very similar to what we do at VA Grand Assembly. There is a difference, however, where the Grand Officers ballot on new initiates before the Initiation Ceremony. After the meeting, my counterpart and I had lunch together at Olive Garden with our families. Then we headed to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park, which is like a way smaller version of Kings Dominion. Katelyn and I hung out in the lazy river with other Rainbow girls for a while. When we were done with that, we got some lunch and headed over to the dry part of the park. We went on a couple of rides like the Mouse Trap, Swings, and the Ship ride. Once we were done with the rides, both of our families went and played some carnival games. Later that night, Reading Assembly #33, which is Katelyn’s Assembly, invited me to have ice cream with them at The Meadows.
Day 3, on July 10th, we had initiation. They initiated 9 girls into IORG! It was really cool seeing how they do floor work with more than 7 girls, since there are only 7 color stations. What happened was that the active candidate went to Love and Service, while 5 other girls did the other bow stations. Instead of the active candidate going to Hope and WAA, a girl who did not do the bow lectures, went to those stations instead. All the girls went to Charity, like normal. The initiation felt very short compared to Virginia’s. After that, we had the Cross of Honor lunch that everyone could attend. But then everyone who wasn’t allowed to see the Cross of Honor ceremony either went back to the hotel or played games in the basement area. My mom and I decided to go back to the hotel. My mom went to the pool and the outside area to relax and read. I wanted to stay in the hotel room in bed, so that’s what I did. After a couple of hours, Reading Assembly had dinner at a steakhouse and invited us to come. The food was delicious!. Plus, they had a claw machine with rubber ducks in it! The thing is, you win no matter what, so, I got 2 ducks, and my mom got 1. After dinner, the girls climbed up a rock hill to get to the Masonic Lodge, where they had the Charity carnival games. They had a little dunk tank, ring toss, shoot the duck, and snacks inside. Then we went back to the hotel and went to bed. What a great day of fun activities!
Day 4, on July 11th, we had a bowling competition in the morning. Luckily, I was able to join Katelyn’s team, and I had so much fun bowling with them! We didn’t win, but that did not stop our fun, where we got a couple of strikes and spares. After we were done, we had to get ready for Majority Service and Installation. For the Majority Service, they take the girls behind the bow, and then their parents come down to walk with them. Once the parents are with them, they walk to the East and say goodbye to their parents. Then the girls make a circle around the Altar, while all the Majority Members make a big circle around the room. It is a very short ceremony, but it’s a cool one. For their Installation, they do the same thing we do, but after everyone is in their new positions they start calling the past GWA’s and their officers to stand behind the bow and introduce themselves. They went back 50 years of GWAs! The GWA from 50 years ago had her Mother Advisor with her, too. It’s a very long ceremony but very cool. After all the ceremonies, we go down to the basement to have dinner. Then we headed back upstairs for coronation. Coronation is where the past GWA gives the new GWA the crown. They don’t use the regular rainbow crown, instead, they use a huge sparkly crown. They also had banners, boards, and art contests. After all of that, we all went to the hotel to go to bed.
Day 5, on July 12th, they had a little church service. Unfortunately, I didn’t go since I had to leave really early in the morning to be back for my Assembly’s initiation! We initiated 2 new girls into Norfolk Assembly. I was so happy, but also very tired and ready to go home from my long car ride!
Overall, I had such a great time! I met so many people and can’t wait to continue connecting with my Rainbow sisters in Pennsylvania!
Macie R. Norfolk Assembly #15
