Joshua J. Riggs: Birthday Celebration With Cards And A Parade

Korrie Sparks and family wanted to do something special to celebrate her big brother's birthday this year.
"Let me start out by saying this boy LOVES his BIRTHDAY!!! With everything going on in the world this year we wanted to find a way to still make it SPECIAL for him," said Sparks, who may be best known locally as part of the team at Sparky's Pork Rinds.

"Josh also loves checking the mail, so requesting birthday cards was perfect," she said, explaining Riggs has received 10 to 30 cards a day since a posting on Facebook asked people to help Riggs celebrate. At last count, he has enjoyed finding more than 156 birthday cards and wishes in the family box.

"People send him cards and they are still rolling in even from different states it’s amazing!!"

Joshua J. Riggs was born with cerebral palsy and will be turning 38 this year.

"He is a UK fanatic and loves hugs!" his sister said.

Joshua Riggs and family members. 

The celebration does not end with the card campaign, however, as Sparks has something much bigger lined up.

"Our next surprise will be a Birthday Parade on his birthday! We invite anyone who wants to join us to meet at Sexton Brothers’ Dog Food / Willard Milling by 6:15 on June 10th," Sparks said, adding around 40 cars are expected. "Hope to see you there!!!"

"It has truly been a blessing and we love to share his excitement with everyone. 

 A huge thanks to all who have showered him with cards and gifts!

Sparks asks anyone who would like to send his brother a card to please contact her by private message via Facebook (look for TobyandKorrie Sparks). Parade participants are asked to show up at 6:15 P.M. to prepare for the procession.

"This will give us time to get the decorations on the cars and all lined up to pull out at 6:30," Sparks said.

"Once we get in front of the house we will pull into the gravel lot at moms where Josh will be sitting by the mail box and you can pull right back out onto the main road - it’s like a little loop around."

She adds a note of caution - "PLEASE BE SAFE.. people like to fly on that road!"

"I am working on getting a sheriff escort (Josh would love it). If he is not able to make it, we will be having Bubba’s Towing leading the parade with all his flashing lights on the roll back!! (Thank you Amanda Johnson)"

"This is going to be soooo exciting and a huge surprise for him!!!!"

Korrie Sparks and Joshua Riggs

Photos by Toby and Korrie Sparks

Carter County Post