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Menno Place in Abbotsford celebrates Grandparents' Day

Event on Sept. 12 attracts more than 600 people
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A Grandparents' Day celebration at Menno Place in Abbotsford on Saturday

More than 600 people turned out for a Grandparents Day celebration at Menno Place in Abbotsford on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Residents invited children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play with them in the one-acre secure courtyard that is the centre of the Menno Place campus.

The event featured bouncy castles, a bean bag toss, a craft table sponsored by The Reach Gallery, a storytime sponsored by the Fraser Valley Library and a photo booth.

There was also live entertainment, hot dogs, popcorn, a bubble station, a button station, temporary tattoos, karaoke, and a visit from Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

“This is more than just a party,” said Karen Baillie, CEO of Menno Place. “This is a way of giving our residents the opportunity to share positive family memories across the generations right here in their own home. Some residents can’t get out, so we brought the party here for to them to share.”

The party ran out of hot dogs – twice. Sharon Simpson, director of communications and stakeholder engagement, said organizers had planned for 300 people.

“We couldn’t imagine that so many of our residents would take the opportunity to share this day with their families,” she said.

Forty volunteers served 60 litres of ice cream, 550 hot dogs and more than 300 cotton candy cones. They also manned booths, provided security and transported residents from their homes to the courtyard.

International Grandparents Day was first recognized in Canada in 1995. It is a family day intended to honour grandparents, give them an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.