Long weekend rain showers held off, allowing members of the Millarville Stockland 4-H Club to parade cattle, sheep and goats for residents of Rising Sun Long Term Care in Black Diamond on Friday, May 20.
This is the second year that stock trailers lined the road near the facility and 4-H'ers gave residents a show to remember.
“There are a lot of people that used to be farm kids that are living around here (at Rising Sun),” said Clara Blatz, a senior member of the 4-H club. “Or they used to have farms, so it’s really nice for them to be brought back to that with all our animals.”
Residents of Rising Sun, seated in front of large windows of the long-term care facility, watched as the young handlers paraded their animals.
“The seniors get the little bios read to them as we walk and parade our animals in front for them,” Blatz said.
The bios tell the audience about each 4-H member and the animal they are raising, and the parade and show is a wonderful way to bring some excitement and joy to the residents. It's all part of the community service aspect of 4-H, she said.
Every year, 4-H clubs are required to do a community service activity, and because of COVID-19 restrictions last year, many of the Millarville Club’s usual activities could not happen, Blatz said.
During that time, the group saw this type of parade was done elsewhere, and they thought it was something they could do here, she said.
They tried it out, and the first parade at Rising Sun was a big success.
“We’re coming back to do it again because it was such a success last year.”
The animals are cleaned up and brought to the lawn on the north side of the centre and “it’s actually super easy for us to take part in.”
After the formal parade, sheep and goats were taken into the courtyard of the long-term care facility, where residents were able to get a little bit closer to the animals.
The Millarville Stockland 4-H Club is holding its 2022 sale on Sunday, May 29, which can be viewed live or online. Visit www.facebook.com/millarvillestockland or www.teamauctionsales.com for more information on the club or sale.