Drive-by birthday party marks the new normal on Longboat Key

For his 50th birthday, David Deloie was the guest of honor at a parade. 

Sort of. Deloie, who lives in Country Club Shores, was wished well by his neighbors as they drove down the street in a drive-by birthday party. Everyone stayed six or more feet away from everyone else, and those who drove up stayed in their cars and chatted through their open windows. 

Neighbors painted their car windows with birthday messages and streamed balloons behind them as they crept down the block. Cheerful honks and shouts of celebration drifted down the block. 

“Happy birthday, Finn!” young Blaze Antos shouted to Deloie’s young son. 

“No, it’s David’s birthday,” corrected Blaze's mother, Lisa Antos. 

Blaze continually tried to wish everyone happy birthday as Melanie Deloie tried to make sure Finn didn’t run too close to anyone else. 

Lynn and Gary Coffin were the parade leaders of sorts, zipping up and down the block on electric scooters while wearing eye-catching gear. About half a dozen cars showed up to give their regards before the front-lawn party dissipated and the Deloies went in to enjoy birthday cake. 

“You’re bringing out the big guns,” Mark Antos said upon seeing the cake decorated with fondant firearms. 

There had already been a birthday party planned, but canceled due to the coronavirus spread and guidance to not have groups gather. 

“We wanted to do this rather than do nothing,” Lynn Armstrong said. “So we helped spread the word.”