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Jessica Chatman and Jacent Chatman pretend to blow out a candle on his birthday cake Saturday at Duncan Park. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Jacent Chatman is surrounded by family before singing Happy Birthday at his party Saturday at Duncan Park.(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Jacent Chatman arrives at his birthday party Saturday at Duncan Park. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Ricyla Thomas, 7, straightens her cousin's Jacent Chatman helmet for his construction themed birthday party Saturday at Duncan Park. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Thelma Lee holds up some money for Jacent Chatman during his construction themed birthday party Saturday at Duncan Park. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — William Barnes has five children of his own, but Saturday wasn’t a day for any of them.

When The Dart landed last week at Duncan Park, Barnes was sitting at a picnic table under a covered awning holding one of his 4-month-old twin boys. With decorations and family members all around, he was anticipating the arrival of his 2-year-old nephew Jacent, also known as the birthday boy.

Jacent was on his way to the party with his mother and Barnes’ sister, Jessica Chatman, and waiting for him was an array of construction-themed banners, party favors and apparel.

“I’m not really a big birthday party person, but this is what his momma wanted,” Barnes said. “But, it’s fun. If someone asks me to do something, I want to do whatever I can to help.”

The theme “under construction” was one Jacent’s mother came up with, she said, as homage to her father who owns a construction business.

“I just wanted to do this for him,” Chatman said. “I just came up with it and thought it would be perfect.”

When the birthday boy arrived, he was greeted with hugs and sentiments from people all over. He was given his own construction vest and hardhat. He even had protective glasses and a toy toolbox.

“It’s great to just have the family here, so we thought we might as well,” Chatman said.

As the other children in the family gathered around dressed as construction workers, too, everybody sang “Happy Birthday” in unison.

One of Jacent’s aunts, Laura Drake, couldn’t help but think how special the moment was.

“There just hasn’t been a baby in the family in a while. That’s why we are celebrating now,” she said. “When (the twins) turn one, we’ll probably do something, too, but it’s usually just about the little ones so we can get all the kids together.

“It gives everyone something to do, because on a normal basis we wouldn’t have this kind of gathering.”

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