28 • Fruita Fall Festival 2010

he Fall Festival is such a great time to come to Fruita. The weather is great, the people are out having fun mountain bik-ing, shopping and enjoying the

last warm days before winter. This year, with the theme of the Fall Fes-

tival being “Fun in the West,” it seems fitting that I tell you all the fun things there are to do at the festival.

There are a couple new things going on this year, like the coloring contest. I wanted to try that since I love to try new things, but due to my lack of opposable thumbs, things didn’t work out.

So, one of the first things I like to do at the festival is hit up the Rotary club’s beer gar-den. Yes, I am allowed to do that because I am over 21 (in cat years) and all the money goes to a good cause. I do, however, refrain from more than one, because I want to re-member how much fun I have the rest of the weekend!

After, I’ll head over to the Lionesses spa-ghetti dinner before I get my groove-on at the street dance at Circle Park. Trust me – I can shake my hips with the best of them, and I’ll take on anyone who says otherwise!

The magic show is one of my favorite things, too. Watching someone get hypno-tized and act like some crazed chicken is hilarious. This year I’m hoping it’s that guy who tried to run me over while I was taking my nap in the middle of the street. I still don’t understand why people don’t know that I’m

in charge in this town!On Saturday, the fun really starts. I’ve en-

tered the staff at the Times into the bed races this year. We’re all dressing up like Looney Toons characters and racing like Wile E. Coyote down Aspen Street. Those other rac-ers won’t know what hit ‘em!

Then it’s time to sit back, relax and watch one of the best parades in the state. I’m quite shocked that I didn’t win the title of Grand Marshal this year. As the face of Fruita, you would think people would honor me like I deserve, but then again, most people of great-ness aren’t appreciated during their time. Af-ter I’m gone, I’m certain there will be a statue of me in the center of town!

On Sunday, I love going to the ranch rodeo and showing off my mutton-busting skills. Those little kids better watch out, be-cause once I dig my claws into that sheep, it’s gonna take off so fast, they won’t see me bust through the other side of the arena.

Now, you wouldn’t think that I would be

entering into the pet contest, but with the act that Fancy, my pet dog, and I have, we’re unstoppable. I won’t give away the surprise, but just know that you may or may not see fancy dressed up like a monkey and me turn-ing the handle on one of those jack-in-the-box things. Trust me, you’ve got to see it to understand.

After all that fun, you would think I’d be wiped out, but I still make time to go on some rides and grab one of those to-die-for gyros they sell every year. I’ll be walking around the festival all weekend, chatting with old friends and making new ones, just having a blast, like everyone else should, so if you see me, stop and say hello. I’ll chal-lenge you to a good game of thumb-wres-tling, and put money on it that I can win – even without thumbs.

It’s all about having fun, so get out there and try everything there is to offer at this year’s Fall Festival. I promise, you won’t regret it, partner!

Charlie’s keys to Fun at the Festival

Charlie the Cat

TPlease join us for our annual Baking and Canning Contest during the Alpine Bank Fruita Fall Festival in Downtown Fruita.Every year we welcome one and all to bring their favorite and tasteful dish for our local judges to enjoy. There are several categories that can be entered from Pickles and Salsa to Cakes and Cookies. There is something for everyone! Entries are judged on presenta-tion, tie to the harvest theme and, of course, taste. All ages are welcome, so everyone in the family can enter a dish! Non-perishable entries can be dropped off the day before the contest, Friday, September 24, at Family Health West, located at 228 N. Cherry St., or between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on the day of the contest, Saturday, September 25. The winners will be announced and awarded at the Civic Center Stage at 5:30 p.m.. For more information, please visit www.fruitafallfesti-val.com or call Family Health West at 858-2104. Hope to see you there!