There were many changes, from the location all the way to entertainment but the Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club, in their second year operating the Denver Days Fall Festival, worked with each change and put forth the effort so everyone in attendance was happy!  The past three years have been rainy, and although God chose to send some cool and windy conditions, the weather was not wet and the crowds came!

The biggest change was a change in location, back to the site where Denver Days began in 2003.  Thanks to the kindness of Dwight and Kay Callaway, Denver Days was held in “Downtown Denver” again, at the corner of Business Highway 16 and St. James  Church Road.  The corner location worked perfectly, with plenty of room for rides, entertainment, food and the business and craft vendors.

Wednesday and Thursday nights, our school age kids could ride all night for one low price, and from the looks of the parking lot, there were a lot of families that took advantage of the discounts!  Thursday afternoon was a very special time for the “Special Needs Kids Day” at Denver Days and from 1 to 3, our special kids and their families had the Denver Days grounds all to themselves.  No crowds, no lines but the rides were open, cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream was available and from being there and being part, this was truly a special time at Denver Days.

On Friday, the food vendors and our businesses and craft vendors moved in and filled up the space, making Denver Days another little town in Lincoln County.  We also had a dunking booth, raising money for charity and our own Sheriff, David Carpenter was seen splashing when he was dropped!  The weather Friday night was cool and the wind was breezy, but the crowds came.  The 2011 edition of Denver Days did not have the “name” bands but we were entertained by both the  Tim Clark Band and Little Johnny Trailer Trash, with music playing from 6 to 10.

Saturday morning, Denver Days expanded when the Farmers Market opened, and more vendors moved in for the days.  Entertainment started off with our county fire departments having a competition, then exhibitions by local karate and martial-arts schools, dance studios and local bands.  Denver’s Got Talent opened at 4 PM with the six finalists taking the stage, and our winner chosen by the crowd and judges by 6 PM.  Many thanks to our judges:  Paul Silas, coach of the Bobcats, Eddie Knox of The Knox Law Firm and Verdict Ridge and Rhonda Harrill, principal of Rock Springs Elementary.  The competition was good and a huge applause greeted the winner, M.J. Milam.  His dance rendition of “Thriller” by Michael Jackson was something to see!

Saturday continued with more music, more food, more rides, more dunking booth and more and more Denver Days, until we closed out this year’s event at 11 PM.  The Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club has completed the second year of being responsible for Denver Days but are not resting; the first meeting of the 2012 edition of Denver Days is set for Friday morning, October 14^th.  The club will analyze what should start for next year, what should stop and what should continue, and the work will continue until Denver Days 2012.

The Rotary Club wants to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Denver and surrounding communities for making Denver Days a reality from year to year.  Your coming out and supporting this community event is what keeps it successful from year to year.  The overall objective from Denver Days is to build the “East Lincoln Rescue Park” and we look for that to be a reality in the next coming years.

Wednesday and Thursday student nights at Denver Days went great!  A lot of kids and adults having fun, playing games and getting some great “junk” food and enjoying the carnival atmosphere!

If you have not been, there is a great Farmers Market every Saturday morning in Denver, right in front of Rock Springs Elementary School!  For Denver Days, the Farmers Market will be open, but moved south to the bus parking lot next to the school.  Open from 8:00 A.M. until Noon, vendors will have crops to offer, free range eggs, plants and flowers, jewelry and crafts and just too many options to list here!  Before you come into Denver Days, go through the Farmers Market and make some great purchases!

Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 29^th from 1 to 3 PM for the “Special Needs Kids Day” special time at Denver Days.  For you, your parents or guardians and your brothers or sisters, Denver Days will be open with rides free of charge and food/drink and a great time!

This event has been held annually at Denver Days and this year will be sponsored again by The Hecht Team, Bob Hecht and Nicole Hecht, Realtors with Coldwell Banker United at Lake Norman.  When talking about the Special Needs Kids Day last year, Nicole Hecht said “just seeing the kids and the smiles on their faces made this all worthwhile last year and we really look forward to the 2011 event.”  Nicole continued “the parents each told us how happy they were that this time was set aside for them, and that they did not feel comfortable taking their child to Denver Days or any county fair with rides, when there is a crowd.  This afternoon gives them the time and space and the kids love the rides.”

If you have interest in attending the Special Needs Kids Day, please visit www.denverdays.com and click on the “Special Needs Kids Day” button for the flyer and information.  For any questions or to confirm your attendance please email thehechtteam@cbunited.com.

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/specialneedskidsday.html

special-needs.pdf Download this file

Tonight’s Denver Days  Schedule:

- 4 pm Gates Open

- 5 pm – 9 pm Student Fun Night – All Rides One price

- 6 pm – 9 pm Gospel music by Southerner’s Quartet and Catawba Valley Boys

- 10 pm – Gates close

Pick up an event booklet at the Rotary Tent on the way in that has a $2 off student coupon.

REMEMBER – FREE PARKING

CHECK OUT THE DENVER DAYS EVENT LAYOUT to view the parking area!

Link for Denver Days Event Layout

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/directionsmap.html

SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Link for Denver Days Schedule of Events

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/schedule.html

VIEW THE FULL EVENT BOOKLET!

Link to download the Denver Days 2011 Event Booklet

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/images/denverdaysbookletforweb.pdf