When it comes to celebrating the nation's Independence Day holiday weekend, leave it to Paonia to to make it a 'cherry' of a celebration.

2016 marks the 70th anniversary of the Paonia Cherry Days celebration and there's no better weekend to celebrate than the 4th of July, especially when you have a celebration that practically pays homage to the red, in the all-American red, white and blue.

For one, the cherries are ripe, picked fresh from the trees and delicious to eat. Also, if you remember, our founding father and first President of the United States, George Washington, was said to have chopped down one of his family's cherry trees when he was a young boy.

If you've never been to a Paonia Cherry Days Festival, then you've missed a whole lot over the last 70 years. But, there's no time like the present to make this part of your plans for the weekend.

The celebration starts on Friday (July 1) with a downtown day, live music and special food and entertainment at the town's restaurants.

Saturday (July 2) start off with a 5K run and then enjoy vendor booths, the North Fork Challenge, and even more great entertainment.

On Sunday (July 3) a community church service, potluck, talent show, wood splitting contest, and even more great music.

Then, on the 4th of July enjoy a pancake breakfast, parade, pie eating contest, cherry pit spit contest, live music, baking contest (with cherries, of course), fire dancing, and so much more.

Plus, it is expected to be sunny almost all weekend with temperatures topping out around 90 degrees making it just right for an Independence Day weekend full of fun.

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