Parade planned for oldest living American's 116th birthday

Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The oldest living person in the United States is due to be celebrated by a parade marking her 116th birthday in California.

Edith "Edie" Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli, who celebrates her 116th birthday on Monday, will be celebrated Sunday by a drive-by parade at Holy Spirit Residential Care Home in Willits.

Ceccarelli, born in 1908, is the oldest living person in the United States and the second oldest living person in the world.

Her birthdays since the age of 100 were celebrated with large, town-wide parties until 2021, when the annual celebration was turned into a drive-by parade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Every year at her birthday, we make sure she knows how special she is," lead parade organizer Suzanne Picetti told USA TODAY.

Perla Gonzalez, who works at the care home, said Ceccarelli is looking forward to the carrot cake she was promised by family members.

"She got very excited when she learned the cake would be carrot cake," Gonzalez said. "She said, 'Oh really, honey?,' and lit up."