250 gather in Castle Rock for Nippon worker vigil

A Castle Rock candlelight vigil Thursday night drew a crowd in the hundreds, remembering the 11 workers killed in the Nippon Dynawave tragedy.

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And a coinciding silent auction fundraiser held during the event ultimately raised close to $5,000, according to Greater Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce President Kari Murfitt, who helped organize the event.

Dozens of local businesses and individuals donated 40 items for the event, Mufitt said when reached by phone Friday morning.

She said she was "still speechless" at the turnout Thursday evening at the North County Pavilion. Murfitt said that a volunteer counted 250 people at the vigil.

Vigil for Nippon workers in Castle Rock

Glenn Pingree, left, and Randy Bynum, share a light during a candlelight vigil Thursday evening at the North County Pavilion in Castle Rock. The vigil drew roughly 250 people to remember the 11 Nippon Dynawave workers who died in the May 26 chemical tank collapse, two of whom were Castle Rock residents Tyler and Bradley Covington.

"I'm totally blown away," Murfitt said. "I knew Castle Rock always shows up."

More than 30 individual businesses contributed to the event. Individuals donated paintings and quilts for auction, while others, such as Cascade Select Markets, donated gift cards for auction and Studio 117 donated fitness baskets.

Robin Frazier, owner of The Oasis in Castle Rock, said she brought 25 pizzas for attendees.

"That's my love language, I can feed people," Frazier said.

The vigil honored the lives of the 11 workers who died on May 26 at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant chemical tank implosion in Longview. Among the workers who were killed were two Castle Rock residents, 29-year-old Tyler Covington and 27-year-old Bradley Covington.

The event also served to announce a new memorial website, longviewstrong.com, where locals and loved ones of the 11 workers are encouraged to share memories.

Vigil for Nippon workers in Castle Rock

Locals gather and mourn during a candlelight vigil event held June 4 at the North County Event Center in Castle Rock. The Greater Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce estimates that 250 people attended.

Among the highlights of the event for Murfitt was near the end of the vigil, when local resident Glenn Pingree rang The Little Bell of Castle Rock 11 times in honor of the workers.

"That is so Castle Rock," Murfitt said.

Pingree and his wife were instrumental in building the bell tower at the pavilion last year. At the vigil, he said the bell was for significant moments.

"That bell is out there for when somebody gets married, somebody beats cancer, a celebration of life," Murfitt said. "I think it'd be appropriate tonight if we rang that bell 11 times."

Vigil for Nippon workers in Castle Rock

People gather near a fountain for a candlelight vigil on June 4 at the North County Event Center. The Greater Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce estimates that 250 people attended the event honoring the 11 workers, including two Castle Rock residents, who died in the May 26 Nippon Dynawave white liquor tank collapse.

Pingree swiftly rang the bell, walked away from the tower and wiped away tears.

PHOTOS: Castle Rock vigil honors Nippon victims

Check out scenes from Thursday's event.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 4:31 AM.