CELEBRATING THE CHAMPIONS Fans who braved crowds for Nuggets victory parade not disappointed

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Hatch family from Northglenn never misses a Denver Nuggets game, if they can help it. ey’ve been dedicated fans since moving to Colorado in 2011 and when the team won its rst NBA championship this week, they knew they’d be at the parade on ursday.

“We never really expected to actually win the championship, but we were hopeful for one,” Ariel Hatch said. “It’s amazing!” e family of ve were among the estimated 700,000 to one million fans to descend on downtown on June 15 to bask in the glory of the a Nuggets NBA title that was more than 50 years in the making. ere, they had the chance to see Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who famously said he wanted to go home to Serbia following the title-clinching victory on June 12.

Instead, he was in a white Denver re truck with No. 15 in gold letters and his name, the missing Finals MVP trophy nearby. When he nally found his way through the crowd to a podium, the crowd erupted.

“You know that I told you I didn’t want to stay for parade,” Jokic addressed the crowd. “But I [expletive] want to stay for parade. is is the best. We love you, Denver. is is for you.”

He was one of many Nuggets players at the parade. Also there was Head Coach Mike Malone, sta ers, cheerleaders and Rocky

Family Fun Ride & Stroll at Lone Tree Elementary

9am: Decorate / 9:30am: Start

This one is for the whole family so come decorate your bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, unicycles, or just yourself and join us as we make our way down the Willow Creek Trail, on this 1-mile trek.

For details on the route, parking, etc. visit www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4

Tuesday, July 4th

Family Fun Park at Prairie Sky Ball Fields

10am-1pm

Enjoy inflatables, games, live entertainment, food trucks, and more! This event requires PRE-REGISTRATION for everyone attending. Parking will be available at the Lone Tree Rec Center.

To register visit: www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4 then scroll down to the Family Fun Park section and register.

Party in the Park at Prairie Sky Park Event Schedule

7pm-10pm

Enjoy a live concert with solo, acoustic artist, Jenny Shawhan and headliner

Uptown Funk: Tribute to Bruno Mars! We encourage you to bring your blankets, camping chairs, coolers, outdoor games and mingle with your friends and neighbors as we prepare for the main event of the evening, fireworks!

6 PM: Shuttle service begins

7 PM: Jenny Shawhan, Acoustic Artist

8 PM:

Uptown Funk: Tribute to Bruno Mars

9:30 PM: Fireworks

10:30 PM: Shuttle service ends

For more details on parking, maps, best viewing locations, shuttle routes, street closures, etc. visit www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4