Surprise-birthday parade for Collin Stephens

Jacob Wiegand

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau was the man of the hour at his surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin marks his 10th birthday Sunday and his mother, Michaela Stephens, said she had the idea to throw him the surprise-birthday parade. “With the social distancing and everything and not being able to have a party, I figured that a parade would be pretty neat,” Michaela said on the phone before the parade. “It’s a surprise. He has no idea. … He thinks that we’re going to throw the football around in the soccer field.”

Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau is hit by spray string from a parade participant during his surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin marks his 10th birthday Sunday and his mother, Michaela Stephens, said she had the idea to throw him the surprise-birthday parade. "With the social distancing and everything and not being able to have a party, I figured that a parade would be pretty neat," Michaela said on the phone before the parade. "It's a surprise. He has no idea. ... He thinks that we're going to throw the football around in the soccer field." (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau and his mother Michaela Stephens wave during a visit from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department during Collin's surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Dana McClard of Cape Girardeau holds a birthday sign during a surprise-birthday parade for Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Michaela Stephens of Cape Girardeau hugs her son Collin Stephens during his surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau waves during his surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
People take part in a surprise-birthday parade for Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
McKenzie Stephens, 2, looks toward the camera during a surprise-birthday parade for her brother Collin Stephens on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau reacts after being covered in spray string near his brother Corbin Stephens, 4, during Collin's surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau and his mother Michaela Stephens smile during Collin's surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin turns 10 on Sunday. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)