Would you like to bear the coveted title of Palisade's "Town Grouch"? It seems this is a prestigious title, to say the least. Are you prepared to win the title?

I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm a lifelong resident of the valley and yet for some reason, this competition has slipped past me. I've attended the Peach Festival dozens of times. Perhaps the residents of Palisade are simply so nice, the thought of there being a "town grouch" simply slipped my mind.

During a visit to downtown Palisade this last Saturday, a sign just off 3rd and Main posting past "Grouches" caught my eye. Looking at the sign, there are recipients of this title going back as far as 1985.

I love how the sign reads:

Palisade, Colorado ... 2,692 Friendly People... and 1 grouch.

How exactly does one become the "Town Grouch"? According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Palisade's "Town Grouch" is a competition between residents over who can raise the most money. This event is tied into the famous Palisade Peach Festival. Residents' names are placed in donation jars all over town. The person whose jar collects the most money is titled that year's "grouch."

This is not unlike Highlander.... there can be only one! Is that you? Are you prepared to be the next "grouch"? I don't live in Palisade, otherwise, I would compete in this event.

The next time you're in Palisade, stop by and see the sign displaying past years' grouches. Do you live in Palisade? Have you competed in this? If not, why not? Do you have what it takes to be Palisade's "Town Grouch"?

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