A parade rolled into town last weekend in celebration of Emily Baker’s 89th birthday.
With a party out of the question because of social distancing requirements, Karen Baker-MacGrotty came up with a different way to celebrate her mother’s special day. Baker, dressed up for the occasion, watched as friends and family paraded past her daughter Karen and son-in-law David’s home, where she’s lived since February.
“It was a wonderful parade to celebrate mom’s 89th – considering the difficult circumstances we are under at this time,” Baker-MacGotty said in an email to the Record. “Very memorable for mom and participants, to add a little joy in our lives and celebrate her milestone best we can within social-distancing confines.”
Baker-MacGrotty hopes she’s able to plan a big parade and garden party next year to celebrate her mom’s 90th birthday – and the end of COVID-19. But she was thrilled with the response to the April 25 parade, which saw many participants waving Happy Birthday signs as they passed the guest of honour.
“David was the lead vehicle with lots of Hyack Festival folks, Canadian Army veteran CAV motorbikes, bicycles, walkers – family, neighbours and friends, even neighbourhood children sitting on the curb in anticipation for the parade to start,” Baker-MacGrotty wrote. “Procession led by Seaforth piper Mitchell Bains, lots of waving, honking, singing, virtual hugs and kisses! Smiles and waves all around. A true neighbourhood community pulling together.”
