The “Concert for Kyle” Saturday in Highlands Ranch will raise money for cancer research and memorialize Kyle Blakeman, who died from a rare disorder two years ago.
The 15-year-old ThunderRidge High School athlete’s struggle was publicized as an inspiration to the Rockies’ run to the World Series in 2007.
Events Saturday are from 1 to 7 p.m. in Civic Green Park.
The event will include live music by the bands Off the Hook, Parkside and Frosh, with food, a bouncy house, a dunk tank, face painting, Henna tattoos and speed stacking.
Admission is any donation for the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at the Children’s Hospital.
Kyle was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma when he was 13 and continued to play sports, until he became too ill.
Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle visited Kyle in the hospital, and asked him for a lucky number, according to press accounts. Kyle suggested his football number, 64.
In the next game, Hurdle wrote the number on his lineup card. The team came from four runs down in the ninth inning to win the game, 6-5. Hurdle gave Kyle the lineup card.
He died four days later.
With Hurdle continuing to write in number 64 on the lineup card, the ensuing winning streak took the Rockies to the World Series. Colorado clinched the National League championship in four games, clinching it with 6-4 win after all six runs in the fourth inning.
The founder of the Kyle Blakeman Memorial Fund is Kyle’s mother, Joanne Blakeman.
