Oktoberfest Traditions for the Schlegel Villages Family

Thanksgiving is all about tradition and for people from the Kitchener-Waterloo region, tradition often centres around the annual Oktoberfest parade on Thanksgiving Monday. Schlegel Villages was once again proud to be part of the event with team members and residents wrapped up together on the #ElderWisdom float.   

Schlegel Villages Team Members and Residents enjoyed taking part in the annual Oktoberfest Parade.
Schlegel Villages Team Members and Residents enjoyed
taking part in the annual Oktoberfest Parade.

Thousands of people either gather along the parade route or watch the parade on television, and with the strong community roots Schlegel Villages has in the area it makes sense to showcase both the villages and the message behind the #ElderWisdom campaign. Every bit of exposure helps challenge ageism and Schlegel Villages team members and their families alongside residents of Waterloo’s Pinehaven Nursing Home and The Village of Winston Park remind everyone that connections between generations are vital to community enhancement. The Village of Wentworth Heights was also part of the event along with team members from the Support Office.

Nancy Kuhl was there as well, honouring a long-held family tradition of enjoying the Oktoberfest celebrations. Her daughter Heather was unable to make it from Hamilton to see it live but was able to see the happiness in her mother’s eyes through the television coverage.

“My mom looks so happy,” Heather wrote through a Facebook thread. “I used to go every year with my girls, mom and dad.”

To be part of the event was a special treat for Nancy, and the team was happy to share it with her.

The team was also happy for the coverage on CTV, which highlighted the #ElderWisdom Green Bench campaign that runs every summer throughout Southern Ontario. The campaign urges members of the community to take time to get to know a senior while sharing conversation upon the Green Bench. The concept continues to spread and the Oktoberfest Parade certainly helps keep the momentum going.  

Watch the Parade on CTV Kitchener