Family Fun Nights in the West End, sponsored by Paradox Cycle, are back for this summer, and already the outdoor movies in the Naturita Town Park have showcased "Barbie" and "Lion King." The movies are being shown every other Wednesday night and are free to the public.
While the family nights last year were on Thursday evenings, that’s also when the Tabeguache Trail Riders’ gymkhanas happen in Nucla. To avoid competing with the gymkhana series and to also spread community activities out, owner and operator of Paradox Cycle Brock Benson moved Family Fun Nights to Wednesdays.
And, Benson told the San Miguel Basin Forum that the fun begins before the movie, starting at 4 p.m.
“I’m offering free (bike) service from 4 to 6 p.m. and a discount on parts for local families that want to get their bikes together, so they can ride around the park,” he said. “A free dinner is provided by community members that want to contribute.”
Benson said Jennifer Locke and Hank Miller have been providing most of the dinners and/or popcorn the last two summers. Though, the first movie night of this summer the Nucla-Naturita EMS sold burgers and hot dogs to raise money for new uniforms.
This week, Saucy Mama’s, of Nucla, will donate pizza for the children, and Paradox Cycle will buy a few more pizzas also. Benson said all are welcome to order their own pizzas this week through Saucy Mama’s, and they can get free delivery to the park before the movie begins.
“We encourage families to go play, eat dinner in the beautiful park, and then at sundown, 9 p.m., Paradox Cycle sponsors a free movie on the outdoor projection screen,” Benson said.
Last week was an “off week,” so the movie runs this week. On June 26 the outdoor flick is “Soul,” a Disney Pixar animated film about music, art and children.
The Family Fun Nights continue every other week through September, though the bike service happens every week on Wednesdays. Families and individuals can come to Paradox Cycle to receive service and are encouraged to ride a bit.
In other bike shop news, Paradox Cycle has a new apprentice. Now, Zack Carter is working as a bike mechanic, and Benson said the young man shows lots of promise.
“We are over the moon to have such a great kid be a part of the Paradox Cycle team,” he said.
And, as an added bonus, Family Fun Nights compliment the West End Farm and Craft Market, which happens 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays weekly.
“I felt like it made more sense to join forces with my friend Galit (Korngold) and really make Naturita the only place to be on Wednesdays,” Benson said.
Korngold, owner and operator of Wild Gal’s Market in Naturita, also runs the farm and craft markets on the patio of her food shop. She’s serving a specialty to-go meal every Wednesday of the summer.
Last week’s farm market meal was Greek food, and this week will feature Moroccan. Korngold is serving baked chicken with olives, a few Moroccan salads and fragrant rice. Cost is $18 per meal. She told the Forum she’s splitting the proceeds of Moroccan night with the Basin Clinic.
