Parade brings Easter smiles at Arabella Manor in Alexandria

Chris Schroeder and her son, Evan, give the Easter Bunny a ride at Saturday's Easter Parade at Arabella Manor in Alexandria. (Al Edenloff / Echo Press)

By Al Edenloff

April 11, 2020 at 2:37 PM

The coronavirus outbreak didn't stop the celebration of Easter at Arabella Manor in Alexandria.

Arabella staff organized an Easter Parade on Saturday afternoon, April 11, that included police vehicles, cars, firetrucks and dozens of people carrying signs reading, "He is risen!" "Happy Easter!" "Hoppy Easter!" and other Easter-related messages.

Arabella residents sitting outside on porches or in lawn chairs were all smiles as the parade-goers strolled past. They waved, took photos and shouted, "Happy Easter!" back at the people in the parade.

The Easter Bunny himself made an appearance, waving to the residents and throwing candy to the crowd. Chris Schroeder, who was giving the Easter Bunny a ride in her vehicle summed up the celebration: "Everyone needs a little fun right now."

The Hanson family, Mariah, Tony and their two daughters, Eden and Elise, were part of the Easter Parade at Arabella Manor Saturday afternoon. (Al Edenloff / Echo Press)

By Al Edenloff

Al Edenloff is the editor of the twice-weekly Echo Press. He started his journalism career when he was in 10th grade, writing football and basketball stories for the Parkers Prairie Independent.