An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people swarmed downtown Enumclaw [WA] for “Kasey Kahne Day,” an all-day festival sponsored by Allstate, the City of Enumclaw and the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce. On Labor Day, Kahne, who lives in Huntersville, N.C., came home to what began as a familiar celebration. Food and vendor booths invited passers-by. The smell of corn dogs and mochas filled the air. Kids chomped on snow cones. As afternoon approached, people left the food and vendor booths and filled a vast parking lot where Kahne was scheduled to take the stage under a large tent. When he did, people in red jerseys, T-shirts and jackets that paid homage to their hero, erupted with cheers and applause. “This is actually the first time I’ve seen this much red, and it’s not Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” Kahne said. On stage, Enumclaw Mayor John Wise dedicated “Kasey Kahne Drive” as the new name of a street in town. “There’s no speedin’ on that street,” Kahne said. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Kahne presented a $1,000 scholarship to a recent graduate of Enumclaw High School and answered questions people had written on scraps of paper.(more at the Tacoma News)(9-6-2005)
