One of Medford’s greatest festivals is coming Saturday, April 10th. Whatever your pace, whether it is strapping on your running shoes for Pear Blossom Run or sitting back to enjoy a barbecue and parade, this celebration will have something to excite everyone.

PEAR BLOSSOM RUN

Join the Rogue Valley’s #1 athletic event on Saturday, April 10th! Choose between:

• The 5k Run, beginning at 7:00am.
• The 1 Mile Mayor’s Cup, beginning at 8:00am.
• The 10-mile run, beginning at 8:35am.
• 2 Mile Run / Walk, beginning at 8:40am.

Join in with people from all over the West Coast and participate in this yearly event. But remember, there is NO race day registration, so be sure to register early! Runners must register by March 15th in order to receive their runner’s t-shirt. For details or to register online, click here Printed entry forms may be obtained at the Medford Parks & Recreation, the Medford Visitors Bureau, the YMCA, or the Rogue Valley Mall. Or send a self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope:  Pear Blossom Run, PO Box 146, Medford, OR 97501. Registration closes April 6th. Important phone numbers, runner’s schedule and race maps can be found at PearBlossomRun.com

PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL EVENTS

Celebrate the rites of spring with all of Southern Oregon, starting with the “Dare to Pear” showcase. Visit Medford’s downtown restaurants to experience the Valley’s best pear recipes, and pair them with local wines. You may vote online for your favorite recipe from March 12th through March 29th. Some of last year’s participants were Porters, 4 Daughters Irish Pub, and The Wharf.

The Pear Blossom Senior and Junior Royalty Coronations will be held on Saturday, March 27th, at the North Medford High School Auditorium. Junior Royalty Ceremonies begin at 9:00am and Senior Royalty and Ballroom Dance Competitions both begin at 7:00pm. For more info, call Darcey at 541-840-7209.

For the Valley’s tiny tots, the Pear Blossom Baby Contest will be held on Saturday, April 3rd at the JC Penny store on the lower level of the Rogue Valley Mall. Judging begins at 9:00am. Categories include “Bluest Eyes”, “Quickest Smile”, and “Chubbiest”, just to name a few. For more information, contact Loretta Livaudais-Mapes at 541-878-3165.

To help celebrate the festivities, enjoy a night or two of square dancing at the Rogue Valley Square Dancing Center on Friday, April 9th, and Saturday, April 10th. Friday’s dance begins at 7:30pm and Saturday’s at 6:00pm. For more information, call Sheila at 541-944-8736.

The Pear Blossom Festival Spring Fair will be held Saturday, April 10th, through Sunday, April 11th at Hawthorne Park. The Pear Blossom Parade begins at 11:00am on Saturday and lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours. The parade route can be viewed on Google Maps.  At noon there will be a barbecue held at the South Fred Meyer, by I5 Exit 27. All proceeds from the barbecue will be donated the the American Cancer Society.

Explore the exciting world of stamp collecting at the annual Southern Oregon Philatelic Stamp Show, held Saturday, April 10th, through Sunday, April 11th, at the Padgham Building in the Jackson County Expo. This event is free to the public and lasts from 10:00am to 5:30pm on Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:30pm on Sunday.

And don’t forget the 2nd Annual Pear A Fare Festival in Alba Park from Friday, April 9th, to Saturday, April 10th. From 2pm to 4pm, get ready to “pear” local award-winning wines with gourmet foods from local artisans and restaurants.

For more information about the festival, call 840-PEAR