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Parachute is ready for Rockmageddon

Alex Zorn
  

This weekend Parachute will welcome all terrain vehicle users, mud-racing enthusiasts and others looking to check out the sights and sounds of the small western Colorado town during its first Rockmageddon, an event it hopes to build into an annual extravaganza.

Saturday morning Registered ATV users can head into town and take the trail ride up to the Battlement Reservoirs where they are advised to bring fishing poles, folding chairs and whatever else they need to enjoy the five reservoirs. It is about an hour-and-half ride from town. Traffic will be only one way going up and down, so be prepared to hunker down at the top for a few hours.

After a poker run in the afternoon, folks are invited to head to Cottonwood Park in Parachute to cheer on a soccer game and barrel racing, both of which will be on UTVs. Following the UTV sporting events, there will be a free concert in the park, featuring ’80s cover act 6 Million Dollar Band.



On Sunday, folks are invited to Grand Valley Parks Association’s future events center on the north side of town on County Road 215 to see the Mud Drag, which will serve as a qualifying race for Western Mud Racing Association circuit.

“People are really excited that they can watch a qualifying race for the circuit for free,” said Derek Wingfield with Parachute Community Development. “We’re hearing a lot of buzz from Grand Junction. The goal is to get people here.”



Lauralee Patton with Parachute Economic Development said one of the local hotels is completely sold out for Saturday night.

“We are excited about this event as this is another step along our master plan to utilize our natural resources to build a recreation economy,” said Parachute Mayor Roy B. McClung. “It fits well with our plan as well as the lifestyle many in Western Colorado enjoy. We are looking forward to this being the first of many years of this event, with each year getting better and better.”

Wingfield added that Parachute has now reserved the event for the first weekend in July for each of the next four years.

ATV, UTV and OHV users can register online for the trail ride ahead of time or register at Town Hall and Cottonwood Park on Saturday morning. Parachute Town Hall will open early at 7 a.m.

Wingfield said that thus far 40 units have registered for the trail ride.


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