Car parade brings joy to East Rockaway 10-year-old

On May 7, a parade of colorful and decorated cars, with drivers honking their horns, rode through Bay Park, surprising Morgan Watson for her 10th birthday. 

As part of a new tradition, during the pandemic, car parades have become a fad for many of those whose birthdays have fallen during the state-wide quarantine.  

Strong Island Car Parades 4 Kids, a group on Facebook, participated in running the drive-by and many other car parades, in an effort to fulfill its mission “to brighten some days during this dark time.” The East Rockaway Fire Department, Long Island Hero Squad, Maria’s Touch Events for Balloons, Bunnabows for our Team Edge Shirts, the Watson’s friends and family, as well as, Pepe Productions DJ participated in making the drive by possible. 

“The car parade was definitely a good thing because Morgan needed to see her friends, even if it was just from their cars,” her mother, Melissa Watson said. “She needed to see all the smiling faces.”

For the Watson family, the pandemic has taken its toll on them socially because outside of the car show, they have distanced themselves from others because Melissa’s husband is a first responder. 

“The parade was the first time we had seen everyone in so long because I don’t put my kids out in the world anymore,” Melissa said. “Things like car parades give people hope and it puts a smile on their faces.” Morgan said she enjoyed the party.

“I miss talking, laughing and not staying six feet away from others,” she said. “The car parade was really good and my favorite part was when my teacher came.”