Newport Coast boy’s 5th birthday party takes a unique turn with toll roads theme

Newport Coast mom Briana Vartanian said she wasn’t surprised when her son Sebastian told her that he wanted the theme of his fifth birthday party to be related to Orange County’s toll roads.

For months, Sebastian has been obsessed with maps, road signs, interstates and the toll roads, which his parents drive multiple times each day between their Newport Coast home and his preschool at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. He pays attention to the route as his parents transition from the 73 Toll Road to the 5 Freeway to head into south Orange County. He often uses a stopwatch to time the commute.

“I can find signs … like the 241 and the 73,” he said of his favorite part of the trip.

Sebastian pays attention to the exit numbers that even the most observant freeway drivers often overlook.

He also has his preferred route to school. He requests that his mother take the 73 to the 5 instead of driving Coast Highway because he believes it saves time. He often gently reminds her from the back seat with his stopwatch in hand, she said.

When Vartanian tells him that the toll road costs money, he responds, “It’s OK, Mom, it’s worth it.”

“I honestly don’t know what to do with him,” Vartanian said jokingly.

At home, his room is covered in maps that he collects from the mail, maps from information desks at malls and, of course, maps of Orange County and its freeway system.

“He’s obsessed,” Vartanian said. “It’s a lot of fun when we drive because he points out all the new signs he sees. He loves it. He can tell you every freeway across our county.”

Vartanian spent about two months preparing for Sebastian’s transportation-themed bash Oct. 24 at the family’s Newport Coast home. A family friend created a large toll booth out of balloons with signs pointing to the FasTrak and cash lanes (which no longer exist). After hearing about Sebastian’s birthday idea, the Transportation Corridor Agencies, the organization that runs the toll roads of Orange County, offered to provide Frisbees and ChapStick with the toll roads logo for kids to take home from the party.

About 50 party guests ate cupcakes with toll roads toppers and drew their own versions of the blue and red Interstate 5 signs to help Sebastian celebrate his passion for transportation.

This isn’t the first somewhat unusual birthday theme Sebastian has selected, Vartanian said. For his fourth birthday, Sebastian requested a turbine party after seeing the large windmill-like structures on the way to Palm Springs. That year, his parents rented a house in Palm Springs to host a “Curious George visits turbines in Palm Springs” party.

“He’s definitely an old soul,” Vartanian said. “His fascination and interests are definitely not the norm for a 5-year-old.”