The West End celebrated Naturita Days May 31 this year, with a full day of festivities. Hank Miller, who served the planning committee, said overall it was a success. Regarding parade results, first prize went to West End Adventure Klub, led by Mallory Pottorf; second place went to Paula Riley and family, with their train; and the people’s choice award went to Commissioner Sean Pond and the “freedom rally.”
Miller said the kids and the water balloons were a fun aspect. Brock Benson, of Paradox Cycle, had approximately 600 water balloons available for children. There was a mess afterward, but Miller said it was cleaned up well, and the Paradox Cycle crew mostly took care of all of it by themselves.
“It was treat to see the people and the amount of energy,” he said.
Miller said he and town officials in Naturita estimated that at least 450 people visited the park that day. Then, 12 teams from across the Western Slope traveled for the local softball tournament. They came from Grand Junction, Montrose, Ridgway, Moab, Delta and Cortez. Miller said that tournament has been happening every year, and it’s a good thing to see so many enjoy the park.
Winners this year for the men’s tournament was a team called Vice City, of Montrose. The co-ed winners on Sunday were a team called Juice, of Grand Junction. Miller said winners got a monetary award, since they paid to get into the tournament. More than 180 team members, plus their families, were on site for it.
Miller said another thing he was grateful for was the lights. Jack Carter and others contributed their electrical expertise to light the ballfield, the first time that’s happened since the 1970s. Softball play continued even during the family dance.
“So that was pretty cool,” Miller said.
There were approximately 20 vendors on site, with food and arts and crafts, and town officials reported they all did well with their revenue that day.
Regarding the raffle for the patio set, the grand prize, the winner was Sharon Johannsen, of Nucla.
“She got the lucky ticket,” Miller said.
Town officials were not sure on the amount of beer sold on concessions. Miller did tell the Forum nothing got out of hand throughout the day or night. The only mishap, according to him, was that a softball broke a window of a nearby residence. He said the window is being replaced for the homeowner.
‘It was a great day,” he said.
There was no king or queen of Naturita Days this year, only the grand marshal of the parade, which was Pond. Miller said he’s glad Pond agreed to fill the role, since it’s the first time a Montrose County Commissioner has resided in the West End in 24 years.
Additionally, Miller said he’s grateful for the continued presence of the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department, as the members help to make sure all is safe, as well as cool off the crowd with water spray.
