Hawaiian Falls Water Parks opened all seven locations to children with special needs and their families Saturday.
From 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. thousands of people took advantage of the opportunity to play in a more relaxed atmosphere. Hawaiian Falls added additional staff and turned down the music to help accommodate the kids specific needs.
This is the sixth year Hawaiian Falls hosted what they call Champion’s Day, and they hoped to draw between 2,000 and 3,000 people.
It was the first time at Champion's Day for Donnie Vacanti and his son Tony. "This has just been fantastic," Vacanti said. "The staff has been unbelievable, the rides have been great and the kids have been great."
Vacanti and others praised Hawaiian Falls for make the effort to help every child enjoy some summer fun.
"Sometimes we can be a little impatient here, waiting in lines," said Kevin Smiley whose son suffers from Down syndrome. "They are able to put on an event like this, and it makes it much easier for us."
"They have a heart, that says it all, they have a heart," said Vacanti. "They're willing to do what they can for these kids and give them extra time so they get to enjoy it just like everybody else."
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Hawaiian Falls says they have had such success with Champion's Day, the plan to add an additional event in August.
