Family members and friends gathered to celebrate seniors during Seniors' Week June 6 to 12.
One of the highlights of Seniors' Week every year in Innisfail is the annual Mayor and Seniors' Garden Party. This year it was held on June 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Innisfail and District Historical Village.
“There's an excellent turnout today. It's not too hot and it's not raining,” said Innisfail mayor Brian Spiller. “We're recognizing (seniors) and thanking them for their contributions over all these years.”
He noted the positive impact seniors make in Innisfail.
“We find that in our community our seniors are great volunteers. They're great community helpers and supporters that way,” he added, noting how they are an important part of the community.
“They generously give of their time in our community and we appreciate that.”
During the annual garden party seniors and guests enjoyed entertainment by the Innisfail High School senior jazz band and the Centennial Fiddlers, pie and ice cream, and a children's activity corner.
Gloria and Harvey Banek, who reside just east of Innisfail, came out to the garden party for the first time.
“It's very good,” said Harvey, noting what he felt was the best part of the event. “The important thing in life is pie and ice cream,” he added with a chuckle.
Seniors in attendance were also given a dice game as a thank-you gift.
“We thought the dice game would be something to add as a table favour,” said Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator.
“The dice game is called ‘roll a garden' and since this is a garden party we decided to add the game. You roll the dice and you have to get certain combinations of numbers and then you draw your garden,” explained Bradbury. “The first person to draw their garden wins the game.”
In addition, they also had Innisfail's Evergreen Parent Link Centre on hand to join in and help families celebrate seniors.
“Parent Link joined us for anyone who came with younger children. They had a couple of activity stations and they released some butterflies,” said Bradbury. “We're really pleased with the turnout today.”
Mayor Brian Spiller
"They generously give of their time in our community and we appreciate that."
