Twilight Eclipse Night: Denver

DENVER — Last night hundreds of Twilight fans gathered at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver for Twilight Night, a special celebration in honor of the upcoming movie, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” and the evening’s lunar eclipse.

The event featured a screening of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, along with special appearances by two supporting cast members, Booboo Stewart and Tinsel Korey. The two play Seth Clearwater and Emily, members of the Quileute tribe and the Wolf Pack, the werewolves of Twilight.

(Don’t miss Blast’s “Twilight Night” coverage in Phoenix and San Diego)

Fans of all ages showed up at the park as early as 4:00 to show their excitement for Eclipse. Groups of teenagers and families with young children huddled under umbrellas in the pouring rain. They clutched dog-eared copies of Stephenie Meyer’s novels, along with water bottles, cell phones, magazines, posters, jewelry, T-shirts, and notebooks all emblazoned with the Twilight logo.

One large group of fans from Lakewood, Jefferson, and Creyton high schools started chanting "We want the Wolf Pack!" The girls were decked out in Team Jacob shirts and soaked to the skin. Tanya Castillo, age 13, said of the group’s love for Bella’s werewolf friend: "He’s so sweet and he takes his time for Bella. Plus his abs. Plus, he’s loyal… but also his abs."

Not all the fans were rooting for Twilight’s hunky werewolf. Team Edward had a strong presence as well. Denver woman Kandy Coleman, staying dry under a Twilight umbrella, had a compelling reason to support Edward. "He’s a good example for every man from age eight to eighteen of what makes a good mate," said Coleman.

Three lucky eighth graders from Littleton, Colorado won VIP passes from a Vitamin Water promotion to an advance screening of Eclipse on Tuesday. Sophie Iannac, Laura Wagner, and Emily Redmon won the passes because of the amount of "Twilight bling" they wore to Twilight Night: T-shirts, buttons, jewelry, and even shoes.

Margareto Costello, 23, who was visiting friends in Denver, identified herself as "not a fan." When asked why she thought the books had become so popular, Costello said, "Because literacy rates are going down and it’s quite easy to read." The New Jersey native was one of the few in the crowd who weren’t there for the love of Twilight.

Around 7:30, the rain stopped, the sun came out over the lake, and hundreds of fans screamed happily as Korey and Stewart finally arrived. The pair made their way along the barrier, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Stewart ran along the crowd, slapping high-fives, before greeting a group of fans who won the privilege of going "backstage" to meet the two Twilight cast members.

Korey and Stewart got on stage to say a few words over screaming support from the crowd. The two members of the Wolf Pack expressed their excitement for the premiere of Eclipse and their appreciation for the fans.

The giant screen lit up, and the opening narration of New Moon began to play, breathless fans mouthing along with the words.

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” opens nation-wide on Wednesday, June 30.