KELSEYVILLE – The 17th annual Pear Festival drew a large crowd despite scorching temperatures that hit as high as 102 degrees Saturday in downtown Kelseyville.
Attendees didn’t let the heat deter them from celebrating the pear and visiting with friends.
The day kicked off at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Kelseyville Firehouse that raises money for their scholarship fund.
The parade hit Main Street at 9:30 a.m. and featured a variety of floats from class floats for homecoming to the Kelseyville Lions Club, Chiefs football and Shriner’s Hospital to name a few.
People of all ages lined the streets to enjoy the traditional, creative, entertaining and meaningful floats.
Spectators were also treated to a fly by of a Navy airplane and REACH helicopter during the parade.
Vendor booths lined the length of Main Street from the Saw Shop to the Catholic church. People purchased everything from pears to jewelry and clothing to art, Peruvian decorative pieces, pottery and much more.
The main stage featured performances by Sax O’Rama and Blue Collar while the Oak Tree Stage hosted the Konocti Fiddlers, Gordie the Banjologist and Michael Barrish.
Children had plenty to keep them busy over by the Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed taking a trip down the slide and watching a puppet show performed by Tony Borders, as well as a juggling performance by Ian Smith and a presentation on guide dogs by Anne Barquist.
Attendees enjoyed copious varieties of food, from the Kelseyville FFA tri-tip sandwiches to traditional tamales and many pear treats. They cooled off with bottled water sold by many booths, pear shakes and snow cones.
They went to the Pear Pavilion to check out old relics of the pear harvesting business that had been collected throughout Big Valley.
The energy of the festival was palpable, with everyone appearing to be enjoying the festivities. There were people of all ages filling the street and many dogs accompanying their owners. People caught up with old friends and made new ones.
With the economy struggling, it was clear that people appreciated the free festival and the opportunity to come out and mingle, purchase products, enjoy the performances and parade, learn about the history of pear farming in Kelseyville and support the local community.
Local businesses appreciated the opportunity for more customers, as many Pear Festival attendees perused the stores and enjoyed food and drink at the Saw Shop, Johns Market, LuLu’s Ice Cream and Dessert, Brix, Studebaker’s, Focused on Wine and Lyndall’s Sports Stop Grill.
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