The 9th annual Denver Days celebrations are set to kick off this summer with applications for events opening Monday.

The 2021 Denver Days will take place from Saturday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 8, with celebrations expected to include hundreds of neighborhood block parties, social events and community service projects.

“After the past year of a pandemic and social distancing, the spirit of Denver Days is more important than ever,” said Mayor Michael Hancock in a release.

“Providing our residents that opportunity to help re-build community spirit following a period of not being able to gather together is another step in our recovery, and I encourage everyone to get out and celebrate their neighborhood, community and city.”

Denver Days was first started by Hancock in 2013 to promote neighborhood engagement by giving residents a designated week to host block parties, picnics and service projects.

Last year, Denver Days was recognized with walking celebrations and community parades to make the celebrations more pandemic-friendly but this year’s events are expected to return the roots of direct neighbor interactions.

Denver Days is sponsored by Comcast, Denver Health, Xcel Energy, the Office of Special Events, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships.

Residents who want to host a Denver Days event can go to denvergov.org/denverdays for additional information and permit processing.

Once events are permitted, a list of all Denver Days celebrations will be available at denvergov.org/denverdays or by emailing [email protected].