[JSR] Creative Ways of Celebrating: Drive-By

As the COVID - 19 issue continues, people have started to get used to the new changes in their lives, and formulate new, brilliant ways of celebrating others special days by driving by and congratulating them. People, tired of staying home all day and unable to celebrate special events with their friends, used the idea of drive-thrus as an inspiration. A new trend started in which people would drive by the person’s house who was celebrating, and praise them in the cars as they passed by.

Jeseung Park, grade 9 Crescenta Valley High

For example, in Pico Rivera, CA, there was a drive-by birthday party for a young child. The parents of the boy wished for him to have a party with his friends, but the regulations due to the pandemic did not allow it to occur. In order to celebrate the young boy’s birthday, parents of the boy’s friends started a celebration by going by the house, and as they moved slowly by, they said nice words and gave presents, while staying in the car. With balloons and signs saying happy birthday, they were able to celebrate the young special day while not failing to use social distancing.

Recently, it was National Teacher Appreciation Day. Band students of Crescenta Valley High School wanted to do something special for their band director, as they had a wonderful year with their group, and the director led to the success of their band. They originally planned to have a mini march near his house, playing pep songs and giving presents at his front door, but due to regulations they changed their idea. The group decided to ask their parents/guardians to drive them to his street, and at 3:30, all the cars slowly moved towards the director’s house, and students played their instruments for the music director.

Watching movies with drive-in at cinemas was also something that was well known in the past, and again, this has become prefered. As seen in some old movies, the drive-through movie is presented on a large outdoor screen. People arrive staying inside their cars, and watch the movie from the car windows. Similar to this drive-in movie cinema, there was a wedding in Germany using the same method. On the stage, the groom and bride, sitting down on the table, had their marriage while the relatives and friends of the groom and bride watched inside their cars. When it was over, drivers in the car praised the couples, some by honking, and the new couple enjoyed a unique marriage.

A line of cars driving by the home of a young boy celebrating his birthday. [Source: Jeseung Park]

During these unique times people have started to adapt to the new ways of living. As social distancing continues, societies will come up with new ways to celebrate important events with friends and loved ones, since these are some of the most important things in life.