A viral video filmed after a long day at Kings Island is giving one young singer a confidence boost.
Megan Klarer of Lexington posted a video July 24 of her daughters, Larkin, 8, and Mara, 6, sharing a heartwarming moment outside the Mason amusement park.
The video, which has amassed 2.5 million views since its posting, shows Larkin singing "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors in the Kings Island parking lot, while her younger sister dances in the background.
Klarer said their Kings Island visit was part of a field trip organized by theSankofa University youth summer camp that Larkin and Mara attend. She and her oldest daughter, Delaney, 12, tagged along.
After a day of roller coasters and water park rides, the family was heading to their car
when Klarer asked the girls if they wanted to record a TikTok video.
"I had posted a video before ... and she got maybe 50 likes and it made her really excited. So, I was like, 'Do you want to do another one?'" Klarer said.
"That was a song that she'd wanted to sing, and doing it after a day at Kings Island was the perfect time," she continued.
Klarer said Larkin, who has autism and ADHD, is often shy about singing in front of others. To help build her confidence, Klarer enrolled Larkin in voice lessons with a member of her neighborhood Facebook group.
Larkin has since had four lessons, which Klarer said have really helped her "come out of her shell." The attention from the viral video has only encouraged her to keep singing.
"She was really excited about it. It just made her smile so big. I'm just excited to see her blossom and be willing to sing in front of people," Klarer said.
The July 24 video not only made Larkin more willing to share her singing with others, but it also generated thousands of comments from social media users across the country.
Klarer said her favorite comment reads, "This girl is having the best childhood," which she said is especially meaningful because creating lasting memories for her children is important to her.
"Kings Island has been around for so long. I went as a child, and when I was there Friday, I forgot how much fun it is. Now we're thinking about season passes for next summer," she added.
@meganklarer Reposting without the random TikTok inserted background noise #kingsisland #bestdayofmylife #sing #singing
♬ original sound - Megan Klarer
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why a parking lot performance at Kings Island is melting hearts online
