The annual celebration of July Fourth Cherry Day is an event Paonians have anticipated each summer since its inception in 1947.  The occasion has grown in popularity through the years attracting a large crowd of people to the parade and events that take place not only at the Paonia Town Park, but in the surrounding area.  Many graduates from Paonia High School, home of the eagle mascot, plan class reunions to renew friendships of yesteryear.

The first Cherry Day was planned by the Paonia Lion’s Club in 1947 as a fund raiser to secure... 

When James & Carol Schott moved to Paonia from Colorado’s Front Range they thought they were retiring but they soon discovered; once a farmer, always a farmer. Having retired from raising goats and making cheese on a large scale, they purchased a small farm outside of Paonia. It’s one of the early farms in the area and they took up residence in the original farmhouse. It’s hard to live on a farm and not actually FARM so they soon had cattle and goats and a plan for something a little different...Lavender!

I've always thought how lucky we fisher-people are here in the North Fork to have so many fishing options available within an easy drive.  Just south of Hotchkiss is the adobe area that opens up into the North Fork and Gunnison rivers.  The rolling hills in the adobes give good access to the large rivers, with beautiful cottonwood campgrounds along the south side of the Gunnison.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a jet-boat or...