July 3 is usually reserved for Downtown Day in Paonia. People stroll down Grand Avenue to browse sidewalk sales and enjoy the free food sponsored by the local banks. Area businesses and sports teams all offer goodies and it’s a great time to catch up with old classmates or other festival goers while listening to the free music.

Later, in Paonia’s picturesque Town Park, people will enjoy browsing the arts and crafts booths and sampling from the food vendors while enjoying more music from the park’s stage. This year, kids are sure to be entertained as Wow Factor Amusements plans to set up more attractions than ever in the football field.

The big day is, of course, the Fourth of July. Festivities begin downtown bright and early with the Paonia Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Pancake Breakfast, held in Town Hall. Spectators begin to line the street by 9:00 in anticipation of the Cherry Days Parade.

Tractor contraptions, horse teams, Cherry Days royalty and floats representing local businesses, sports teams, class reunions and more will all make their way past the judges and crowds as candy is tossed to eager little hands. Perhaps the longest running participants in the parade is the Clown Band, whose original colorful outfits were made from dyed World War II parachutes.