Let kids be kids again after the Waldo Canyon fire — that was the aim of the Colorado Literacy Foundation’s Family Fun Day, held Saturday in northwestern Colorado Springs.

Local businesses and the Rockrimmon Library teamed up with the nonprofit to organize the day at a shopping plaza at Rockrimmon and Vindicator, which featured games, free dance lessons, face painting and a bounce house.

See pictures of the event here.

On hand to bring smiles to young faces were 13 members of the “Vader’s Fist” 501st Legion — hardcore Star Wars fans who assemble their own Stormtrooper costumes and volunteer at children’s events.

The Stormtroopers posed for pictures and even served as targets for kids who wanted to shoot them with NERF guns.

For two of the Stormtroopers, the event held special meaning. Rockrimmon residents Jessica and Todd Nipp had to evacuate with their two kids during the fire.

“It was scary,” said Jessica, adding that their house suffered no damage. “Our son cried every night while we were evacuated.”

“He thought his Star Wars toys were going to burn — really,” Ben said with a chuckle.

Mark Cook came to the event with his 6-year-old daughter, Anna.

Top on their to-do list was thanking the Colorado Springs firefighters who were on hand giving away stickers and letting kids climb into their fire engine.

“Thanks for saving our house,” Mark told a firefighter who helped Anna into the driver’s seat.

Mark and his family live on Chase Point near Flying W Ranch.

The house behind theirs burned to the ground, Mark said. He watched grass along Centennial Boulevard burn as he made his way from his house the day the family evacuated. He’d rushed back alone to save the family guinea pig.

“We’re really lucky,” he said. “We had minimal damage. The garage smelled smoky but better than what it smelled like before.”

The fire left just one additional reminder of its existence on Mark’s property: a melted window on Anna’s playhouse.

“I kind of got sick a few weeks ago,” Anna said when asked about how the fire affected her.

“Sometimes you have to experience fear of loss to really appreciate what you have,” Mark said to her before the two walked away.

Let kids be kids again after the Waldo Canyon fire — that was the aim of the Colorado Literacy Foundation’s Family Fun Day, held Saturday in northwestern Colorado Springs.

Local businesses and the Rockrimmon Library teamed up with the nonprofit to organize the day at a shopping plaza at Rockrimmon and Vindicator, which featured games, free dance lessons, face painting and a bounce house.

See pictures from the event here.

On hand to bring smiles to young faces were 13 members of the “Vader’s Fist” 501st Legion — hardcore Star Wars fans who assemble their own Stormtrooper costumes and volunteer at children’s events.

The Stormtroopers posed for pictures and even served as targets for kids who wanted to shoot them with NERF guns.

For two of the Stormtroopers, the event held special meaning. Rockrimmon residents Jessica and Todd Nipp had to evacuate with their two kids during the fire.

“It was scary,” said Jessica, adding that their house suffered no damage. “Our son cried every night while we were evacuated.”

“He thought his Star Wars toys were going to burn — really,” Ben said with a chuckle.

Mark Cook came to the event with his 6-year-old daughter, Anna.

Top on their to-do list was thanking the Colorado Springs firefighters who were on hand giving away stickers and letting kids climb into their fire engine.

“Thanks for saving our house,” Mark told a firefighter who helped Anna into the driver’s seat.

Mark and his family live on Chase Point near Flying W Ranch.

The house behind theirs burned to the ground, Mark said. He watched grass along Centennial Boulevard burn as he made his way from his house the day the family evacuated. He’d rushed back alone to save the family guinea pig.

“We’re really lucky,” he said. “We had minimal damage. The garage smelled smoky but better than what it smelled like before.”

The fire left just one additional reminder of its existence on Mark’s property: a melted window on Anna’s playhouse.

“I kind of got sick a few weeks ago,” Anna said when asked about how the fire affected her.

“Sometimes you have to experience fear of loss to really appreciate what you have,” Mark said to her before the two walked away.

Pictures taken at the Colorado Literacy Foundation’s Family Fun Day, held Saturday, June 28 at the Village at Rockrimmon shopping plaza to let kids have fun after the Waldo Canyon fire.