Elise smiled and waved to all those wishing her a happy birthday while her dad, Brent, video tapes the event from the front porch. InkFreeNews photos by Deb Patterson

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE —A sign in the yard asked passing motorist to “honk” as they drove by to celebrate Elise Berkeypile’s 10th birthday. After all she couldn’t have the traditional birthday party. There was even a Happy Birthday banner hung on the front porch. But Elise’s birthday celebration had a special twist.

A confused look at what was happening.

Brent and Erin Berkeypile had the kids out in the front yard playing, Elise taking a look at golf clubs when police sirens could be heard and soon police cars came around the corner of Fox Run. At first she had a puzzled look on her face as the police cars slowly came around the corner with their lights flashing and sirens blaring.

That expression changed to a large smile when she saw vehicles with balloons and signs wishing her a Happy Birthday.

“What did you do to me?” Elise Berkeypile asked her mom, when she realized it was a parade of vehicles came by their Fox Run home Sunday afternoon, April 26.

The parade of approximately 23 vehicles included family and friends, two sheriff’s vehicles, a Syracuse Police vehicle, a fire truck from Milford Fire Department and three vehicles from Turkey Creek Fire Territory, including the ladder truck.

A birthday parade.

Vehicles decorated with balloons and signs wishing Elise a happy birthday paraded by her house. A few tossed out candy to her and her brothers, sprayed silly string and even stopped to give her birthday presents.

Throughout the parade, Elise was all smiles as she waved to those offering well wishes on her special day. Even children in the neighborhood enjoyed the parade.

“That was really amazing,” she said after the last vehicle went by. “I was really, really surprised.”

Her mother, with the help of others, organized the event, and had informed those in the neighborhood of what was going to take place. As it worked out, Elise enjoys being outside and with the nice weather, Erin and Brent, had no trouble getting the children outside in the yard.

“I didn’t expect it to be this big,” Erin Berkeypile stated.