77th Paonia Cherry Days
"Our Valley Home"
July 3 & 4
Our 2023 button was designed by Jasmine Vasquez.
Josiah Peters and Jaylee Hall tied for second.
Josiah Peters and Jaylee Hall tied for second.
PAONIA CHERRY DAYS
The celebration of July 4th is an event that Paonians look forward to every summer. It’s not just a celebration of our nation’s independence but, locally it’s also a celebration of the Cherry Harvest. Since its inception in 1947, the occasion has grown in popularity, attracting a large crowd of people to the parade and events at the Paonia Town Park.
Paonia’s Cherry Day turns 77 this year. This annual event is one of the longest continuously running outdoor festivals in Colorado. It started as a time for the high school classes to have their reunions, and it’s kept going and growing ever since, celebrating summer and the bounty of the North Fork Valley. Cherry Days will be on Monday July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th this year. Our theme is “Our Valley Home”. The live music this year leans heavy into the Blues with headlining performances from Lipbone Redding and Montrose native A.J. Fullerton.
The festival starts this year at Noon on Monday July 3rd. There will be live music offerings as well as games and other entertainment. Later in the afternoon and evening you’ll find an assortment of vendors in the Paonia Town Park. Stop by the beer and wine garden, grab a glass of something refreshing and enjoy the music from local favorites, The Handsome Cat Blues Band and Bromigos. A.J. Fullerton will headline Monday night with their 4 piece band.
Tuesday, the 4th kicks off with the North Fork Rotary Pancake Breakfast and is followed by the Fourth of July Parade from Grand Avenue to Town Park. The Gazebo in Town Park will, once again, be lively all day with hometown entertainment and ceremonies, kids games, reunions. If you’re feeling competitive, you might enjoy the wood-splitting contest, the cherry pit spit, baking contest or maybe even the best costume contest. The kids will certainly enjoy the Extreme Zone/Wow Factor play area AND the Cherry Pit Spit contest. This year will we are introducing a Cornhole tournament! The musical offerings on the 4th include the Delta Sonics Blues band, Local favorites, David Snider and friends including Bobby Walker and Kipoori Woods! Closing the celebration, starting at 7pm from North Carolina, will be the Lipbone Redding Trio who always put on a great show!
Cherry Day is sponsored by the Paonia Cherry Days 4-Ever volunteers and many local businesses. You can find a detailed schedule of events at: paoniacherrydays.com or follow them on Facebook at: facebook.com/
Events and Times subject to change