Finding new ways to showcase our homes and the care we provide can be tricky in a world overflowing with advertising and marketing. So this year, Fiona Lawson, General Manager at Edge Hill Orchards, thought well outside the box. She not only took our residents to the Cairns Festival on 30 August, she also entered an Infinite Care float in the annual Grand Street Parade.
With a Party Bus transformed into their ‘float’ and the slogan Never Too Old to PARTY tying perfectly into this year’s theme of Young at Heart, this home proved it was more than ready to bring the party vibes.
The Cairns Festival Grand Parade is one of the region’s biggest community events, with schools, dance groups, drama clubs, sporting teams and social clubs all taking part. Last year Fiona said she noticed there were floats from disability services and NDIS providers but none from aged care. So saw the perfect opportunity to change that.
On parade night, the Infinite Care Party Bus pumped out ‘classic golden oldies tunes’ as residents, team members and their families rocked out in branded party shirts. The kids even dressed up as ‘oldies’ to keep the fun theme going.
“The response from the crowd to our float was incredible – so many cheers! To be the first ever Aged Care float in the parade was truly amazing – and I think we definitely gave Aged Care a new look when the song ‘Sex Bomb’ started playing. Haha!”, said Fiona Lawson, General Manager of Edge Hill Orchards.
One resident named Hana states that being part of the festivities, “Made her feel alive!”.
Known as the most spectacular night of the year in Cairns, the parade lights up the Esplanade in a technicolour explosion of music, magic, fireworks and community spirit. Think dancing queens, dazzling floats, giant puppets, marching bands and more local legends than you can shake a palm leaf at.
The Cairns Festival, founded in 1962 by Cairns Regional Council, has always aimed to deliver a bold and vibrant program that celebrates arts, culture, entertainment and community. While management has shifted over the years, its heart has remained the same: to showcase the best of local talent and spirit.
We have no doubt that our float brought plenty of laughs, joy and party vibes to the festival this year. Once again proving that you are truly never too old to party!
