Everyone Loves a (Birthday) Parade

The global pandemic didn’t stop birthdays, and Buzz-area families took to the streets to wish friends and family well on their special days. It’s the new trend in celebrating, social-distance style: drive-by birthday parades.  

You may have seen one in your own neighborhood. They are hard to miss as a line of festively-decorated cars drives past a home, with one very excited birthday child in the front yard. Balloons, streamers and handmade posters are staples for car décor, and some people get more elaborate with things like confetti eggs, water balloons and silly string. At some parades, the drive-by guests toss small gifts or candy out the window as they pass the guest of honor. 

“Both my kids celebrated quarantine birthdays,” said Theresa Orsburn. “I got surprisingly emotional because it was so sweet that people took the time to make their birthdays special.” Oliver Orsburn recently celebrated his eighth birthday. Theresa lured him out to the front yard where a line of cars was waiting to surprise him. Friends hung out of the windows to shout “happy birthday” while parents honked the horn as they drove by. “He was so happy and just kept running back and forth in our yard, between the cars, acting like a crazy kid,” Theresa said. 

The general routine for drive-by birthday parades is for guests to cruise past the home of the birthday boy or girl, but Sarah Ann Powell’s parade was done in reverse. Her mom, Katherine, drove Sarah Ann around to her friends’ homes where they were each waiting in their own front yards. The birthday girl was the one hanging out the window to receive the well wishes. 

Kids aren’t the only ones enjoying the fun. St. Thomas More’s coach Michael Mouton enjoyed his own birthday parade with some of his biggest fans. The track and volleyball coach is somewhat of a campus celebrity with a larger-than-life personality, and parents organized a parade to commemorate his birthday. After parents spread the word through social media, kids arrived by car, bike and scooter to wish their beloved coach a happy birthday. 

As with most things during this uncertain time, birthday celebrations have to adapt within the situation we’re all living. The logistics are unusual, but the love and support from family and friends is still the same. A birthday party on-the-go is a pretty good solution. 

Editor's note: Read more on socially-distanced birthday celebrations here. Have your own story to share? Email us at [email protected].