Summer Ends with a Bash at RMHS Summerfest
Annual RMHS Summerfest Celebration Attracts Largest Attendance Yet
Christopher O'Connor (left) celebrated his birthday with his friend Malcolm Thomas at Summerfest on Sept. 13.
The sun was shining, popcorn was popping and hundreds of people enjoyed sweet treats and fun festivities during the Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) Summerfest celebration at Ruby Hill Park on Sept. 13. RMHS throws this event every year for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), offering an opportunity for dancing, socializing and making new friends before summer ends.
This year’s Summerfest was bigger than ever before, with over 400 attendees joining to celebrate the end of the season. RMHS welcomed many newcomers to the event, including a 7-year-old female porcupine named Zuri.
Here is a snapshot of Summerfest 2019:
DJ Big Styles Shawn White got everyone moving and grooving. Shawn played upbeat dance music — everything from the macarena to the cha-cha line.
The Downtown Aquarium surprised attendees with a visit from their turtles and Zuri the porcupine.
Pizzability founder Tiffany Fixter and her wonderful staff brought fresh pizza.
Café 180 catered 400 delicious boxed lunches.
Gregg Wilson led a fun drum circle activity with hand drums and tambourines.
Providers from Angels Service made balloon animals, offered face-painting and gave massage therapy to attendees.
The amazing art-covered Mindfulness Bus arrived with Guided By Humanity founder Mary Sims who lead relaxing yoga sessions, such as SoundOff Headphone Yoga, where participants wear headphones while practicing yoga to find their zen.
Sensory storyteller Gwen Bonilla from Touching Stories told tales enhanced with sensory stimulation like the smell of a campfire, the feel of a warm blanket or the sound of a bee hive.
People played tons of fun summer games like corn hole, frisbee and hula hoop.
You can scroll through the gallery of event photos here, and be on the lookout for the upcoming Summerfest 2019 video.
Funding for Summerfest comes from a portion of Denver property tax dedicated to Denver residents with I/DD. Thank you to Denver taxpayers for supporting this event.
