BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The coronavirus pandemic has forced most of society to stay in and avoid gatherings. But that didn’t stop John Young from celebrating his 90th birthday in a big way.

“He’s turning 90 and we had this big party planned at Coconut Joe’s but then we had to cancel it," said Julia Calvillo, Young's daughter.

Young is a Korean War veteran and is originally from Taft. But he’s been a longtime Bakersfield resident previously working as the lead electrician for the Kern High School District. His birthday party may have been canceled due to the coronavirus, but his family couldn’t just leave it at that.

“We did what everyone else is doing now, which is the drive bys, Calvillo said.

Instead of a birthday party, on Thursday night a birthday parade took place on Young’s street. Well over 50 friends and family sprucing up their cars, honking, and hollering as he watched on.

“It was great he had a good time and he's not really a big crowd person anyway so this is good for him," Calvillo said.

“I’m just exuberated," Young said.

The family hid the parade from Young up until it started. They say most of the people were gathered by his six children.

“This is quite a parade, there’s more people here than I thought I knew," Young said. “I love you, all of you people.”