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RSVP: The Rivershed

A weekend in Paonia of writers and words, community coming together, films and action focused on western water, river restoration and a resilient future for the Gunnison River Basin

April 5 and 6, 2024 

HOSTED BY COLORADO FARM & FOOD ALLIANCE with WESTERN SLOPE CONSERVATION CENTER 

Contact Information



SEE FULL SCHEDULE BELOW. The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance and the Western Slope Conservation Center are excited to offer a day and evening full of activities, films and conversation. RSVP here to help us better prepare for community activities, and to secure your seat for an evening of beaver tales, river stories and films about our local watershed and beyond. Saturday events are by donation, to benefit the work of these two organizations, and which are VERY APPRECIATED in any amount. All are welcome to attend and participate regardless. Most of all, we want to see YOU there!
SEE FULL SCHEDULE BELOW. We have two activities Friday Night featuring writers, and a North Fork spread with wine and ciders. RSVP and tickets are encouraged or required. Guests who attend the Writers Panel at Blue Sage and RSVP for the Reserved Seating + will be given priority for Reception tickets purchased before March 25. Reception Only RSVPs will be a placed on a waiting list, in the order received until that date. SPACE IS LIMITED. Please reach out to us with any questions or specific requests.
About your donations.

The Friday writers' panel and Saturday Film-fest donations pay for these activities and allow us to make them available to the community. Any money raised above costs will help support the rivershed protection and restoration work of the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance and the Western Slope Conservation Center. 

We encourage you to RSVP with this form.

Most activities are offered on a gift model. The Writers Panel and Film-fest are offered in exchange for any donation with a suggested donation amount (to cover our costs) but none is required.

We welcome and appreciate your presense and strongly encourage advance RSVPs. You can make a donation now or at the event if you choose. You can also RSVP and click through the form without leaving your payment information today. 

The Friday reception at Paonia Books is a fundraiser for Colorado Farm & Food Alliance requiring a ticket and expected to sell-out. We always appreciate and for the Reception we do strongly encourage payment in advance. 

+ We wish to thank all of our weekend sponsors:

Paonia Books, Clear Fork Cider, Storm Cellar, Studio MW, Patti Kaech - Broker at Paonia Realty

Donation per Attendee

Please indicate the activities you will be attending, above, and the number of attendees and total donation/ticket payment below. You do not need to leave your credit/debit card information to RSVP. 

Friday (Full schedule below).

$60 - Writers Panel + Reception at Paonia Books (CO Farm & Food Alliance fundraiser)

$15 - Suggested - Writers Panel ONLY at Blue Sage (Friday)

$ 50 - Reception ONLY* (RSVPS will be put on a waiting list until 3/25. Until March 25 priority is given to guests who also RSVP for the Writers Panel). Please contact us with any specific questisons or requests. 

Saturday (Full schedule below).

FREE - Ponds and Tributaries: Art, Activities and Learning at Poulos Park (some by donation), 11:00 pm - 5:00 pm

$5 Suggested - The Rivershed at the Paradise Theatre, 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Mini Film-Fest and discussion about river resotation and watershed health at the Paradise Theatre


Please tell us how many will be attending in your party.
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Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY APRIL 5th 

5:30 pm - Confluences: Writers, Water and Advocacy at the Blue Sage Center (228 Grand Ave, Paonia)

Panel with writers Paolo Bacigalupi, Heather Hansman, and Jonathan Thompson at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, 228 Grand Ave, Paonia - RSVP recommended

7:00 pm - Western Water Writers' Reception at Paonia Books (234 Grand Ave)

Welcome our writer-panelists with a catered North Fork Valley pairing of delicious tapas and craft ciders and award-winning wines at Paonia Books. RSVP and ticket required

SATURDAY APRIL 6th

11:00 am until 5:00 pm - Ponds and Tributaries: Art, Activities, and Education at Poulos Park (217 Grand Ave, Paonia)

10:30 am - Come down a little early and meet the local artists and the Creative Coalition folks as they begin the Our Rivershed and Beaver Mural sidewalk-art project at Poulos Park 

11:00 am - Booths and Activities open (until 5:00 pm) 

  • Kids' beaver crafts
  • Learn from the Western Slope Conservation Center about hands-on river rehabilitation
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services infomation table and conservation display
  • Visit the Our Rivershed and Beaver Mural (in partnership with Creative Coalition)

12:00 pm - CAKE WALK! $20 gets a spot in this fast-paced knuckle-biting competition where the winner takes all (the cake - a delicious, perhaps decadent, local creation). Limted to 15 participants - sign up day-of!

12:30 pm - OUR RIVERSHED IS WORTH A DAM March to the Paonia River Park

1:00 pm - Tour of Paonia River Park with Jake Hartter, Wesgtern Slope Conservation Center (at Paonia River Park on Shady Lane)

2:00 pm - CAKE WALK! $20 gets a spot in this fast-paced knuckle-biting competition where the winner takes all (the cake - a delicious, perhaps decadent, local creation). Limted to 15 participants - sign up day-of!

3:00 pm - Artist Statement and Mural Presentation

4:00 pm - CAKE WALK! $20 gets a spot in this fast-paced knuckle-biting competition where the winner takes all (the cake - a delicious, perhaps decadent, local creation). Limted to 15 participants - sign up day-of!

5:30 pm The Rivershed. A Mini-Film-Fest about our river valley and Beyond at the Paradise Theatre, 215 Grand Ave, Paonia featuring the Leave it to the Beavers Puppets and a special debut-premier showing of