Celebrate the 4th of July in small town America by taking a scenic drive to Paonia, Colorado for Cherry Days, one of the oldest continuously running outdoor festivals in Colorado! Paonia is about an hour away from Grand Junction, just a mile off Highway 133, and is home to about 1,600 residents. The town is six hours from Salt Lake City, but the drive is made worthwhile by the friendly residents and the abundance of orchards, wineries, and cozy restaurants.
I visited Paonia last weekend and spent the day at a slower pace, picking fresh cherries and tasting wines at Azura Cellars and Black Bridge Winery.
Spectacular scenery and pickable produce makes summer a wonderful time to visit Paonia, but this week is the best time to come as the cherries are ripe and a host of activities are offered.
Come for the Fourth and celebrate at breakfast with the Fire Department at Town Hall, then watch a parade on Grand Avenue, eat fresh cherry cobbler, and attend the amusement carnival. On July 5th, Black Bridge Winery will host a celebration for the Bridge's 100th birthday. Here you can taste wine, enjoy live music, and taste seasonal cuisine.
Friday brings an ice cream social, a road bike ride sponsored by Galaxy Bike and Sport, craft and food vendors in the park, and a DJ Dance Party at Paradise Theater.
The excitement continues on Saturday with a 5K, entertainment in the park, a Revolution Brewing beer tasting class, a local wine tasting class, and a Farm to Table Dinner hosted by local chefs. The festival concludes on Sunday with a road bike ride and continued festivities in the park.
Need an affordable place to stay during your visit? Nearby Delicious Orchards, an organic farmer's market in Hotchkiss, offers on-site camping for just $10 per tent, per night. Delicious Orchards also offers wine tasting of Colorado wines, a market stocked with local treats, and a cafe that serves up sustainably grown eats for breakfast and lunch.
I tried and loved the Veggie Reuben, made with fresh zucchini, onions, peppers, swiss cheese, and a Thousand Island-type dressing. All sandwiches are served with fresh bing cherries, but if one helping isn't enough, head into the orchard to pick your own cherries, apples, nectarines, and more.
If recreation is what you're after, Paonia delivers. With mountain biking and hiking trails accessible from town, it's quick and easy to get away. Plus, the lesser-known Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is just 40 miles from Paonia. This majestic canyon is home to some of America's steepest cliffs and oldest rocks, all formed by the forces of wind and water over two million years.
Have you ever been to Paonia, Colorado? If so, let us know where your favorite recreation or wineries can be found by commenting below.
Clown and cooking photo by Steve Huntley. Others by Jenny Willden.
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