At Meadow Park Long Term Care Centre, residents and staff went a step further than just cheering for the high-flying London Knights in the cup tournament in London. They held their own Memorial Cup Party, Friday, May 20.

Activity aide Melissa Tiller planned the exciting and eventful afternoon, reports activity co-ordinator Michelle Bronsard. “Everyone had a great time,” Michelle says.

The celebration included a parade, a hockey shoot-out and prizes for the best fan and loudest cheer. Staff and residents were encouraged to wear Knights’ colours, green and white. Health care aide Phyllis McKay too the prize for wearing the most green, showing up with a green pen, green necklace and green socks as well as a Go Knights Go T-shirt.

There was also a Knights trivia contest to determine who was a true, die-hard fan and a draw for a Memorial Cup T-shirt, Michelle says.

The event at Meadow Park also had a direct connection to the Knights, she says. Volunteers Jan and Harvey Fife arranged the music for the party. Their son is the music technician for Knights’ games at the John Labatt Centre where the cup tournament was held.

The party also received coverage including a large photo in the London Free Press, Michelle says. “It was a fantastic event and residents and family members really enjoyed it,” she says.

To put the icing on the cake, the Knights went undefeated in the tournament and won the Memorial Cup, May 29, with the final game featuring the Knights and Rimouski Oceanic.

People were watching that final game in their rooms and in the lounge at Meadow Park, Michelle says. “There was a really happy mood around here the morning after.”