Redcliff resident Madeline Worrell, 6, jumps and waves to the two dozen well wishers parading by her home on Saturday. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Birthday Parades

Hatters join together to give kids a celebration not to be forgotten

Mar 29, 2020 | 11:55 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The COVID-19 pandemic has closed the door on large gatherings of kids but the efforts of a Medicine Hat woman has opened up a whole new way to celebrate a children’s birthdays while lifting the spirits of those in southeastern Alberta.

On a sunny spring afternoon Saturday, Amber-Rose Goreham marshalled a couple of dozen residents, many of whom didn’t know each other, in the parking lot of AG Foods in Redcliff. The premise of the gathering was to start a convoy of ballon-laden, decorated vehicles with passengers holding out home-made “happy birthday” signs to parade in front of the homes of children who are celebrating their special day.

“I think some people need a sense of normalcy. I know for me, my husband is out of work, my business is shut down temporarily all because of what is going on,” said Goreham. “All the stores, restaurants, everything is closing – life is changing. To have some sort of normalcy, one way of doing that is these birthday drivebys. It helps the kids feel like they are not being forgotten on their birthdays.”

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Goreham said the original idea was just to do it for a single birthday for a friend’s daughter but it quickly blossomed into something far bigger with daily drivebys to multiple homes.

“I thought, if I could do that for my friend, then why can’t I do that for other kids who don’t get to celebrate birthday parties either,” said Goreham.

For Redcliff’s Madeline Worrell, who was celebrating her sixth birthday along with her friend Brooklyn and parents Lucas and Miranda, the parade of honking cars and trucks festooned with decorations and waving parents accompanied by their children was exciting to say the least.

Wearing a sparkling pink tiara matching her pink jacket and rosy cheeks while jumping up and down in bare feet and with a huge smile, Madeline was overjoyed by the parade.

“I feel happy,” said Madeline. “Really, really happy.”

And the youngster’s message to those who helped celebrate her birthday, “I hope you have a great day and I hope you had a happy day and I hope you’re not sad.”

Those looking to join the birthday parades or have one visit your home can find out more information at COVID-19 Birthday Drive By – Medicine Hat.