Medford Area Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on March 1
Artisan crafts, local business treats and smiles from around the community can all be found at the one and only Medford Pear Blossom Festival. Bringing people together since 1954, this longstanding Rogue Valley tradition showcases the beauty, abundance and joyful spirit of the Heart of the Rogue.
FESTIVAL EVENT SUMMARY
The Pear Blossom Festival has added many events over the past six decades. Whether you peruse the vendors at the Street Fair, indulge in a walking and tasting tour at the Smudge Pot Stroll, watch the parade go by in Downtown Medford, golf in the tournament or test your endurance in the Pear Blossom Run, there’s something for everyone!
With so many activities to choose from, you will spend every minute of the festival weekend discovering something new!
Golf Tournament
April 2 - 3
Saturday, 9 a.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m.
Enjoy a two day tournament with 36 beautiful holes, a cart, free range balls and use of the practice facilities. The entry fee also includes a continental breakfast and lunch for players and sponsors both days.
Street Fair
April 8 - 9
Friday, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Enjoy food, fun, games, arts and crafts, and live music!
Pear A Fare
April 8 - 9
Friday, 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The Pear A Fare celebrates the flavors of the Rogue Valley with local vineyards, breweries, distillers, and artisan food makers serving samples and selling their wares. Tasting glasses and tickets will be for sale at the Pear A Fare entrance. Admission is $5 and includes five tasting tickets — and kids 5 years old and younger are free! Vendors will also have wine, beer, coffee, and other local drinks available for sale by the glass.
Smudge Pot Stroll
April 8
Friday, 5 p.m. - 9 p. m.
Opening night of the Pear Blossom Festival is a special evening in downtown Medford. 350 tickets will be sold for a walking and tasting tour around downtown Medford. With each ticket, you will receive a wine glass and a pass to sample specialty, artisan dishes. With 13-15 participating downtown restaurants, sample award-winning and locally sourced dishes from each restaurant, and discover some pear-themed creations along the way. The stroll begins at 5pm and concludes at 9pm.
Pear Blossom Parade
April 9
Saturday, 11 a.m.
This is the Rogue Valley’s largest parade and oldest tradition. From it's humble beginnings of 10 floats, to the now 4,000 participants, this festival is a true pillar in the Rogue Valley. The fun starts at the corner of Beatty Street & Central Avenue, going down Central Avenue until turning right onto West Main Street and dispersing at Mistletoe Street. Make sure to arrive early and secure a good spot!
Pear Blossom Run
April 9
Saturday, 11 a.m.
Enjoy a 5k or 10 mile run through the beautiful and blossoming downtown Medford. A virtual race option is also offered to those who would prefer online forms of attendance.
Cornhole Tournament
April 9
Saturday, 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The cornhole tournament returns for its second year! Try your hand at this beloved outdoor sport at the Doubles Tournament on April 9th. The first place prize is $1,000, so you won’t want to miss your chance to win big! For more information on how to register, email pearblossom@pearblossomparade.org.
Pedals 'n Pears
April 16
Saturday, 8 a.m.
Pedal for a Cause at the 7th Annual Pedals 'n Pears Bike Ride! The bike ride features four distances, from the easy and flat Comice Family Ride along the Bear Creek Greenway, to the challenging Royal Riviera Metric Century that takes riders through the Applegate Valley ad through the Pear Orchards of South Medford. Ample rest stops and support will be available throughout all rides, and each will start and finish using the Bear Creek Greenway from Lithia and Driveway Fields to the Bear Creek Park Amphitheater area.
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL
The story of the Pear Blossom Festival dates back almost 70 years. In 1954, representatives from several Medford groups wanted to create a springtime event. They finally decided upon a children's parade, and chose a five-year-old girl, Miss Blossom, to reign over the 10 floats.
Just two years later, the parade had 100 floats and the festival included a 30-mile tour of the valley’s orchards. Additionally, the festival has hosted some famous parade marshals, including Governor Holmes, John F. Kennedy, and Frank Shorter, among many others.
Currently, parade entrants number over 150 with over 5,000 participants. A now beloved tradition, the festival has expanded over the years to include a number of other activities beyond the parade. From the Pear Blossom Run, Street Fair, Golf Tournament, Pear-A-Fare and the Smudge Pot Stroll, there is never a dull moment at the festival!
A LOCAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Community, connection and love for the Rogue Valley are the heart of the Medford Pear Blossom Festival. Whether building a float for the parade, managing a booth at the fair, entering one of the pageants, or playing in the golf tournament, community members of all ages come together to participate in and help be a part of the festival.
Find something for every member of your family, and enjoy the unique flavors of the Heart of the Rogue!
Original source can be found here.
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