Twins Elenor Bain and Elmer Bulford wave to family members as they celebrate their 94th birthday with a parade. (Photo: Shane Clausing)

By Shane Clausing

covid-19

100+ family members and friends throw birthday parade to celebrate twins’ 94th birthday

Apr 5, 2020 | 6:02 PM

Over 50 vehicles and 100-plus family members and friends gathered outside the Wild Rose Manor Assisted Living Facility on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 94^th birthdays of twins Elenor Bain and Elmer Bulford.

This year’s birthday was unique compared to others in the past for the twins.

Because of the novel coronavirus, seniors at their home have been forced to self-isolate from family and friends to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This meant that Elenor and Elmer were likely going to have to celebrate their birthdays at their home without family.

With the twins 94^th birthday on Sunday, the family got together and decided to throw a birthday parade for the two so that they wouldn’t feel left out.

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The family met up on Sunday afternoon outside of Elenor and Elmer’s home with a convoy of vehicles to wish the twins a happy birthday.

The cars and trucks got all decorated with signs, ribbons and streamers and the convoy of vehicles participating in the parade stretched for blocks.

Cars and trucks stretched for blocks to wish a happy birthday to twins Elenor Bain and Elmer Bulford (Photo: Shane Clausing)

The twins live on separate sides of the building and there was some concern that Elenor and Elmer would have to watch the parade in their rooms at a distance.

Luckily for the twins, the care home was able to make an exception and allow the them to watch the parade outside at the front entrance of the building.

As the cars and trucks drove by, people honked their horns and blasted happy birthday music in the vehicles.

Elenor and Elmer were able to say hello and wave to family members from a distance, while having big smiles on their face.

Teresa Anderson is a member of the family and said that the idea for the parade came from the news, as others around Grande Prairie and North America have been doing ‘birthday parades’ for children in neighbourhoods.

She adds that the twins were thrilled about the parade.

“They were thrilled! Grandpa and Auntie Elenor are full of life and funk and are just amazing human beings. They were just thrilled with it,” said Anderson.

The parade was also a thrill for other seniors in the building.

“Lots of the seniors were watching us from their windows and it put a smile on their face too,” said Anderson. “I think everybody needs a little joy in the world right now.”

Members of the family say that they want to continue to do parades like this so other members in the family can celebrate their birthday while at a distance.

Anderson also wanted to thank all the health care and front of the line workers making this possible and for all of their hard work during this tough time.