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Annie Lin shares us these photos from she and her son Jerry's adventures from around the Roanoke Valley. They're quite a busy pair!

The events pictured in the slideshow above include the Zac Brown Band concert, Shawn Anthony's Illusion show, to see Dora the Explorer, the Blue Ridge PBS Kidsfest, the Eleventh Annual Buddy Walk and Picnic, and even from the Pride in the Park celebration.

Keep reading for Annie's account of their fun:

The 20th Pride in the Park Festival was on Sunday, September 20,2009 at Downtown Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Virginia.
The Pride in the Park Festival had entertainment. The event has major corporate sponsorship from Wachovia, Bank of America and Food Lion.
The Festival was not just for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender people. It is alcohol-free and anyone is welcome.
Jerry and I saw many young teenage people who held the "Free Hugs" hard board cue cards around the park, talking, smiling, and laughing.
There were vendor booths by Farm Bureau Insurance and Frito Lay, whose workers wore company T-shirts that said "Equality".
It was an interesting experience and increased our education and understanding.
The "11th Annual buddy Walk and Picnic" sponsored by The Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Darrell Shell Park Shelter in Roanoke, Virginia.
The sponsors provided main lunch (BBQ) and soft drinks. By the way, if you come in the future bring a side dish or a dessert to share.
Jerry and I went to there to join with a group. First, we saw many Roanoke College students there. They are volunteers to help children who have special needs. Jerry enjoyed playing ball with them. then a picnic began.
Jerry enjoyed the food. After we ate, everyone lined up for "Buddy Walk". You see a picture that I took. the students held babies for walking.
Many thanks to all of the Roanoke College students. They did a great job for the kids. And thank you "The Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke" members, families, and friends who were there. We had fun, enjoyed food, an especially the walking.
If you want to know more information please view www.dsar.org on web or e-mail info@dsar.org
Please come to join us next year.

Blue Ridge PBS Kids Fest was held at 1-5pm on September 20, 2009 at the Salem Civic Center.
When Jerry and I went there. We saw a long line beginning at the main door to the corner and almost to the baseball field.
After the door opened. We saw a thousand kids there. I could said "Jerry is the oldest kid", but the event was for all ages, not just for kids, for all of family.
The event was free admission. There were PBS characters such as Elmo, Arthur, Word Girl, Princess Presto, Sid the Science Kid, Buddy the T-Rex from Dinosaur Train, and Mr. McFreely. Also they had activities outside on the west grounds.
First, we sat on Blue Ridge PBS chair just like in a TV studio. When the camera panned your [icture could be seen on a big screen TV there.
Then we followed the line to pick up many free things such as stickers, color books, ITT night vision's big balloon, United Way's bags.
My favorite person thing that we was Mr. McFreely-the speedy delivery man from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood". He sat at the corner of the Neighborhood of Mare-believe, and signed autographs and gave away the book which told about the neighborhood.
When he looked at Jerry's T-shirt and said "What does that mean"? The t-shirt was printed with Chinese character. So, "Beijing" I said.
We enjoyed his autograph and the pictures taken with Jerry's smiling face.
There was free safety education for children. Jerry and I enjoyed sitting at Blue Ridge PBS chair, the pictures taken with Elmo, Arthur, and live in the Neighborhood of Mare-Believe with Mr. McFreely. We had a wonderful sunny, beautiful day.

I saw the commercial saying "Dora the explorer" will be at "Schewels" in Roanoke, Virginia from noon to 4:00pm, on October 24,2009.
When Jerry and I arrived there it was 12:30. The line from Schewels' door extended all the way to the parking lot. We followed the slow line waiting for almost 3 hours line to see "Dora". They were little girls and boys along with their parents because they aren't able to stand for long hours to see "Dora".
Jerry is the oldest child in the line. He likes "Dora". He watched Dora's DVD. Dora not just speaks Spanish, she also speaks Chinese "Ni Hao". Jerry likes "Ni Hao" very much.
Finally, we saw "Dora". She is a costumed human behaving like a doll with black short hair, back pack, and her friend, boots the monkey. Because so many people were in line, no one could stand longer to talk to "Dora". We just got one shot.
I know Jerry borrowed Dora-Ni Hao DVD from the library. So when I took him to see Dora. He really enjoyed this surprise. However. I was late to work that day.

On October 10,2009, I was so surprised to have discount tickets for Jerry and me to see Shawn Anthony's illusion show.
When we walked-in the Roanoke Performing Art Theatre, and saw Anthony in the hallway. First, I caught him for picture taking. He asked me "Where are you from?" I said" Taiwan".
When the show began, Anthony told the audience " I am so glad to have a person came from Taiwan" that was such a surprise to me.
Anthony introduced his 5-year-old son with Autism, and so some proceeds from his shows will benefit an Autism awareness organization.
The performance called "Mystified", won't just be one illusion after another. "There's a story line to it. It's not just like with of some basic magic show." Anthony said.
The show is family-friendly, he called volunteers up to the stage to be his assistants. He describes his act as across between a Vegas magic performances a Broadway show.
When he had a light bulb trick show, he used his magic hand and took a small light bulb from Jerry's ear (because we sat close to the stage) that so excited us. We really did not know where the light bulb came from.
Anthony pledged to reproduce one of the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini's most famous tricks, which involved having his wrists shackled behind his back and being sealed in a canvas mailbag. He successfully escaped from the bag in under 3 minutes.
The illusionist performed his card tricks involving hurling cards all the way across the theatre for his final trick. Everyone tried to catch his magic card to take home as a gift.
After the show, Anthony and his assistants stood at the front of vendors booth for his autographs. Jerry likes his picture taking with three beautiful and sexy assistants. Also I got Anthony's group pictures.
When I asked for autographs, I told Anthony about Jerry being Down Syndrome, and I said that I care for him just like he does his son with Autism.
That was an exciting magic show for Jerry, and we had a good time enjoying "Mystified" performance.
Every please enjoy our pictures too.

The Zac Brown Band was an Academy of Country Music Award Winning American Country music band in Atlanta, Georgia. They played on October 8, 2009 in the Salem Civic Center.
The event was sponsored by 94.9 FM star country. Jerry had a picture taken with Robynn who is a radio host when we came into Salem Civic Center. All the seats were full. A crowd of "4,640" on Thursday night was at Salem Civic Center.
Zac Brown Band played the hit it has accumulated over its years on the country and pop chart. "Whatever It Is" and "Chicken Fried" went over huge everyone there.
The concert started by 7:00pm, and Brown and his six-man band played more than 3 hours.
By the end of night, the band's three supporting acts -Sonia Leigh, Nic Cawan and Levi Lowrey-were back up with band for a rousing finale that featured 13 people onstage.
After the show (that was almost midnight) there still has a long line waiting for their autographs. If you had "Zac Brown band" passport with a stamp on it, they would sign for you.
When Brown saw me, and asked "Where do you come from?" I said "Taiwan". He looked at Jerry and gave him a "High-Five". Brown asked again "Did you enjoy the concert?", and we said "Yes"! He seems like a very friendly man. Of course, we got his band group's autographs.