The last week in October brings a great deal of excitement to the residents of Avonbridge Care Home in Hamilton, thanks to the home’s now famous annual Halloween parade.
Returning for its third year, this much-loved autumn celebration invites local families and relatives of residents and staff to don spooky fancy dress and join the parade around the windows of the home as residents clap and cheer.
Originally established during the visiting restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s parade marked a significant return to normality, with residents’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren invited into the home to take part in some Halloween games with their loved ones.
With everything from nuns to witches and Shrek characters to giant inflatable sharks in attendance, it was certainly an evening to remember!
Esther, a resident of Avonbridge, said: “It was great fun seeing all the children in their Halloween costumes coming in to visit us, I really enjoyed all the singing and dancing!”
Fellow resident Alec added: “What a night it was, we had a laugh with the rolls of paper and the kids wrapping me up. I can’t wait for the next party!”
As in previous years, the Avonbridge team had pulled out all the stops for the parade decorations with giant pumpkins, family-friendly Halloween scenes and balloons. Trick-or-treat bags and ghoulish goodies were also on offer to those taking part as well as an award for the best-dressed little visitor.
The standard was so high this year, that the Avonbridge residents declared two winners of the best dressed in the parade. A huge well done to Jax Taylor and Milah Dillon for taking the title this year with their very cute monkey and cat costumes.
Kelly O’Neill, Avonbridge’s activity coordinator and organiser of the event, said: “This year’s Halloween parade saw another fantastic effort from all the staff, families and friends of Avonbridge. It was even better this year though as we were able to welcome some of our little visitors into the home for the first time since the pandemic.
“The face-to-face interaction with grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing Halloween games with our residents was wonderful to see. The positive impact memories like these have on our residents and their families is priceless. We hope everyone knows that by coming out to support us you really do make a massive difference. A huge thank you to all who made this possible.”
The annual Avonbridge Halloween Parade is just one of a number of community events Avonbridge Care Home runs throughout the year. These include the Easter Bonnet Parade and various community fundraisers.
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