Elementary students put on costume parade at Brookridge Heights

MARQUETTE — One local assisted living facility came together with a huge group of elementary school students and their teachers to bring Halloween to the residents.

Residents at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living & Memory Care in Marquette were greeted this afternoon by 80 elementary school students, all in costume.

The students put on a parade for the residents, showing off their Halloween costumes. They all received a small treat as they passed through.

Brookridge Heights staff says celebrating holidays with their residents is an important part of what they do. For residents, the costume parade brings back memories of their own trick-or-treating days.

“The reminiscing part of this is really important,” said Memory Support Director Brian Gaudreau. “To see their smiles and the energy behind it, you can just see the memories coming out. And for us that’s really important, and for them it’s really, really important.”

Inviting elementary school students was also a way to brighten up residents’ day. They may not be able to see their own grandchildren trick-or-treating tonight, but they were able to see and talk to a lot of other kids at the parade.

“They are constantly thinking about their kids and their grandchildren,” said Gaudreau. “And oftentimes they don’t have the opportunity to see them like they would like to. So today we’re bringing in 80 adopted grandchildren.”

The costume parade was followed by a Halloween party with cookies, cider, hot chocolate, and other refreshments for the residents. It was the perfect way for them to celebrate Halloween, and have a little fun with some special visitors.