Memories Of A Fun Day January 31, 2009

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Blast Off 2009 was our first annual family FUNdraiser. Many sponsors, including lead sponsor TowneBank, underwrote the costs of the event so that all proceeds from ticket sales would go straight to the children of DHCDC. We raised $12,000, with a whopping attendance of nearly 900 people. Blast Off was held at the Virginia Air & Space Center, and one child was admitted free with every adult ticket.

The ticket price covered museum exhibits, puppet shows by Rainbow Productions, performances by the Virginia Symphony, gourmet bag lunch, IMAX movie, and a ride on the Hampton Carousel. Families came from as far as Williamsburg, Smithfield, and Virginia Beach, including more than 150 people from DHCDC (students and their families).

Volunteers take tickets and check names from the Will Call list as guests arrive.	Each guest receives a "boarding pass" listing the schedule of events on the back.
The inside of each pass listed our valued sponsors and DHCDC program information.	Young guests received special coloring books from TowneBank.
TowneBank's own Town E. Bear made a formal appearance at Blast Off, to welcome (and bear-hug!) our guests. Smiling faces and families were everywhere! Above all, Blast Off was a multigenerational event.
"The Amazing Adventures of Chessie the Manatee," a production by Rainbow Puppets, quickly drew an audience
Children were delighted when the puppets, such as Seemore D. Bay, interacted with them.	Audience participation was not a problem!
The puppet show also included several musical numbers.	Nothing like a fun afternoon to bring people together!
The show incorporated bunraku, a Japanese style of puppetry where puppeteers are completely visible while manipulating large puppets. The show was based on the true story of Chessie, a Florida manatee who wandered into the Chesapeake Bay. The Virginia Air & Space Museum included a play area for smaller children, with a hot-air balloon that was a big hit.

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Special thanks to our photographers, Bob Harper, Jim Hansen, and Debbie Hansen, who donated their services for the event.