A birthday surprise

The children of Rodney and Tracey Walker (CCHS Class of 1980) pulled off a surprise joint birthday party for their parents on Saturday at Carter County Events Center in Ekalaka.

The couple spent the day in Belle Fourche, where they had attended a funeral earlier, with their son Travis Walker. Travis was tasked with keeping the Walkers in Belle Fourche for the day while the rest of their children and children's spouses prepared the center for the party.

Travis said he did all he could to keep them from getting back to Ekalaka before 6 p.m., traveling to several different farm and ranch supply stores, picking up only one or two items at a time when he could have just gotten everything in one location. He even made them stop in Alzada for an unneeded and extended bathroom break and hid out in the bathroom as long as he could.

Partway home, Travis explained that there was a different gathering at the Events Center that they had been invited to. His parents didn't grow suspicious until seeing all of the vehicles in the parking lot upon arrival, most of which they recognized.

A large group of family and friends were treated to a meal, cake and music until around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night.