Carla Madison will be honored at tonight's County Fair at City Park

Carla Madison.

Denver County has never had a Denver County Fair -- but that century-in-the-making event will finally come to the National Western Stock Show facility July 28-31.

Denver does have a County Fair, though, and today it will celebrate the life of councilwoman Carla Madison.

The County Fair at City Park, an old-fashioned ice cream social, will run from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight in City Park.

This was one of Madison's favorite events. After a battle with cancer, the District 8 representative passed away weeks before the May 3 election -- just two months ago -- leading to an incredible 39 candidates fighting for her seat. (One person subsequently dropped out.) Wil Alston and Albus Brooks moved on to the run-off; we'll finally know the new District 8 council representative after all the votes are counted on June 7. Whoever wins, he'll have big -- and colorful -- shoes to fill.

But tonight is a time to remember Madison. The ice cream -- and all the fixings -- are free (food vendors will also be on hand) and so is the entertainment, which ranges from jugglers to the Denver Municipal Band accompanying the Electric Fountain Show to a slide show of historic Denver.

Madison was an important part of that history.

More from our Calhoun: Wake-Up Call archive: "Carla Madison: With city councilwoman's death, Denver is a little less colorful."