By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Between parades, performances, and festive décor, Brooksby Village intends to keep the whole family entertained this holiday season.

From the annual Parade of Lights and visit from Santa Claus to tree-trimming activities, there’s plenty on the roster for this year’s Home for the Holidays events.

The campus is “flooded with families” during the season, says Nancy Duffy, senior community services manager at Brooksby.

Lighting up
The Parade of Lights, which takes place in mid-December, begins in the early evening when antique fire trucks, strung with lights and carrying Mr. and Mrs. Claus, drive through campus.

“They light up the walkways and the gazebo, and the fire engines make their noise and run their engines and the kids get all excited,” recalls Joan Pappalardo, who lives at Brooksby and attended last year’s parade with her grandchildren. After the trucks pull through, residents and their families can meet the Claus family inside one of the clubhouses, make crafts, and snack on hot chocolate and cookies. There is also musical entertainment in the on-campus chapel.

“It’s very family friendly,” says Mary Landry, Brooksby’s community resources coordinator. “It’s a mixture of residents and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and everyone’s dressed up in red and green.”

Holiday hearth
Brooksby’s holiday décor isn’t limited to the Parade of Lights. In addition,  those who live at the community take pride in decorating their homes.

Last year Harold and Helen Millican invited others in the community to see their New England Village and Christmas tree as part of an open house on campus.

But it’s not just Christmas décor that’s on display.

“It’s nice to see how other people celebrate the holidays,  because there are so many different people here,” says Helen Millican, referring to the assortment of traditions and religious affiliations represented at the community.