I photographed a fan meet and greet for the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives at the Duluth Town Green for the Duluth Patch newspaper on Monday, August 15, 2011. Close to 500 fans of the television series came out to meet with members of the cast on Monday. Actors Patrick Muldoon, Susan Hayes, Drake Hogestyn, Kate Mansi and Bill Hayes arrived around 1:30 to the sounds of cheers from fans and flashes from cameras. The actors talked with fans, signed autographs and took pictures for close to two hours in preparation for the new season of the television series which is set to start its 46th year. The NBC series started on Nov. 8, 1965 and has won numerous Emmy Awards and nominations as well as multiple Soap Opera Digest and People’s Choice Awards. These are my favorite images from the event.
Lee Francey, left, stands in line with other "Days of Our Lives" fans before the start of an autograph signing with members of the cast at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Joyce Smilack, left, talks with Jan Akins as they wait in line for a fan meet and greet with the cast of the television series "Days of Our Lives" at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Sharon Vaughan, left, and Jennifer Matos take photographs through the window blinds at the Duluth Town Green as the cast of "Days of Our Lives" arrives for an autograph signing on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Autographs line the outer cover as Sharon Bostwick flips through her commemorative book for the television series "Days of Our Lives" before a fan meet and greet at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Actress Susan Hayes walks in to talk to fans before the start of an autograph session for the cast of "Days of Our Lives" at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Cheryl Collins, left, and other "Days of Our Lives" fans take pictures of Susan Hayes as she welcomes them to the fan meet and greet at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Jennifer Presley hands a book to be autographed by Kate Mansi who plays Abigail Devereaux on the television series "Days of Our Lives" during a fan meet and greet at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011. Presley arrived at 8:15 a.m. in order to ensure she was the first person in line for the autograph signing, which started close to 1:30 p.m.
Patrick Muldoon who plays Austin Reed on the television series "Days of Our Lives" shakes hands with Patricia Poggins during an autograph signing att he Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Cynthia Clemons stands in line for autographs from the cast of "Days of Our Lives" at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Rhonda Gonzalez has her photo taken with actor Bill Hayes who plays Doug Williams on the television series "Days of Our Lives" during an autograph session at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Actress Susan Hayes who plays Julie Williams on the television series "Days of Our Lives" signs autographs during a fan meet and greet at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Drake Hogestyn who plays John Black on "Days of Our Lives" kneels by Phyllis Tanner to have his photo taken during an autograph signing for fans at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Kay LeVaughn, center, talks with Patrick Muldoon who plays Austin Reed on "Days of Our Lives" during a meet and greet at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Kate Mansi who plays Abigail Devereaux on "Days of Our Lives" tries to coax a kiss on the cheek from four-year-old Jacob Brooks during an autograph signing at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Jackie Kite moves through the line to have autographs signed by cast members from the television show Days of Our Lives at the Duluth Town Green on Monday, August 15, 2011.