Celebration 2009 began welcoming area residents at 5 p.m. Friday with children's rides and games.

Less than an hour later, a crowd of children and adults alike milled around the area where the rides were located.

A recording of the 911 call from Timothy Carter about a murder-suicide in Axton early Sunday reveals he pleaded with dispatchers for help after his father shot him, his mother and his brother.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has said William R. Carter Sr., 56, shot and killed his wife, Bonnie W. Carter, 56, and one son, William Ronald Carter Jr., 28, of Danville, before shooting himself in the head. Carter Sr. also shot his 22-year-old son Timothy Carter, who survived and escaped to a neighbor’s house.

A forecast of mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s is perfect for tonight’s Celebration 2009 at Martinsville Speedway.

That is a welcome news for organizers of the annual event, which has sometimes been held on what seemed like summer’s hottest — or stormiest — days.

“This could be the best weather ever,” said Kent Martin, whose company, SRO Productions, has provided lights and sound equipment for celebration for all but one of its 12 years.