This event celebrates the begining of a process where the pear blossoms of spring set the stage for a fruit that ripens in the fall throughout the valley. Southern Oregon’s history is deeply rooted to these pears, their growth, and what they bring back to the people that live here. Generations of families have thrived here due to the many varieties that are grown locally; comice, bartlett, bosc, anjou, etc.

We celebrate them in many ways: naming streets after them, identifying the state fruit as the pear, and organizing a cast of volunteers during a month long Pear Blossom Festival celebration.

In 1954, representatives of several Medford groups (including the Fruit Grower’s League, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association, American Legion and the school district) met to initiate an event during the spring blossom season. They decided to have a children’s’ parade. A five-year-old, Miss Blossom, was chosen to reign over the 10 floats.

By 1956, there were 100 floats in the parade, and the festival included a 30-mile tour of the valley’s blooming orchards. Since 1957, children have been chosen festival King and Queen. Motorized floats were allowed in the parade in 1964. Pear Blossom Festival parade marshals have included Governor Holmes (1957), John F. Kennedy (1960), and Frank Shorter (1977) who led over 650 participants in the festival’s first annual mini-marathon.

Current parade entrants number over 150 with over 5,000 participants. The festival now includes a number of other activities besides the parade; A baby contest, Junior Royalty Pageant, Senior Royalty Scholarship Pageant, the Run, Street Fair, Stamp Show, Smudge Pot Stroll, a celebration of the local artesians, and restaurant challenge of offerings that contain pears.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for your comment. Absolutely! I’ll add your email address to our monthly e-newsletter, where we share new recipes, ripening information, Pear Bureau news, and other fun facts. Thanks for getting in touch!

Best,
Brittany

Thanks,

Miles

Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you’re handling your pears correctly for ripening. I don’t have the expertise to give you a solid answer as to why your pears aren’t ripening yet, but I can direct you straight to the source for more information. Check out Domex’s website at http://www.superfreshgrowers.com.

Thanks!
Brittany

Somos exportadores e importadores de frutas localizados en Chile. Nos gustaria tener contactos de empaquetadoras y productores de Peras en la costa Este de los Estados Unidos. Es posible obtener esa info a travez de uds?
Muchas Gracias

I’m glad you like the pear packers – they’re pretty great, huh? You can purchase more for a very low price at our Marketplace. Check it out at usapearsmarketplace.org.

Thanks for the post!

Brittany

Saludos,
Lynsey