Grandparents Day Fair - A Huge Success

Abbotsford, BC - Menno Place residents can't help but grin as they look back on the amazing Grandparents Day Fair that took place on September 9th. Residents invited children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to play with them in the 1-acre courtyard that is the center of the Menno Place campus. More than 300 people joined in the festivities, despite the rain that persisted all afternoon!

"All you hear are happy sounds and laughter, no one cares about getting a little wet", said one resident. His daughter and her family were there, all smiles, as he led them to the cotton candy station where they all enjoyed a pink bundle of sugar.

With bouncy castles, bean bag toss, a photo booth, hot dogs, popcorn, bubble station, a button maker, temporary tattoos, henna, and entertainment like a stilt-walker, a cartoonist and a musical number, there was no time to sit still.

This event would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of Rexall. The support of a company like Rexall allows friends and family to join their loved ones at Menno Place for not simply a day at the fair, but a day of making cherished memories together.

The Grandparents Day Fair has become a key event on the Menno Place campus in the last three years. Joanne Sweeney and the Recreation Department at Menno Place go to great lengths to make this an event that families will enjoy, and that brings the generations together to celebrate the beautiful bonds of family.

"The children on campus that day brought a huge amount of joy and energy to residents." Joanne said of the crowd on the day of the fair, "Our goal for this fair was to continue to break down generational divides, and this event helps us do that."

Dozens of youth volunteers from the community also braved the rain for the day to make this event a reality. High school students from across the city gave their time and energy to help residents and their families enjoy the myriad of activities the fair had to offer. These young people bring yet another aspect of vibrancy to the Menno Place community through their willingness to serve.

Karen Baillie, CEO of Menno Place said of the day's festivities, "Menno Place's Grandparents Day Fair was our opportunity to publicly affirm the importance of grandparents and the vital role they play in the nurturing, upbringing and education of the next generations. It was our privilege to throw them a party!"

Residents from Menno Home, Menno Hospital, and  Menno Apartments shared the joy as they enjoyed these special moments together at the Menno Place retirement home campus.