Workers at Adobe Creek Packing in Kelseyville, Calif., packing pears. Photo by Shirley Campbell.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 25, during the 18th Annual Kelseyville Pear Festival, there will be a pear packing contest held at 1:30 p.m. in the Westamerica Bank parking lot, behind the “Pear Pavilion” on Main Street.

Everyone is invited to sign up and give it a try.

The contestants will be packing a standard 40-pound box with a size 90 pear.

For people who have never packed before and are brave enough to give it a try there will be a short packing class prior to the contest.

Contestants will be judged on speed, the correct pattern and quality of pack.

First prize is $150, second place is $100 and third place is $75.

Signs up will begin at 1 p.m. by the packing tub that will be located behind the Pear Pavilion. Judges will be people from the pear industry.

Please come and watch these men and women as they compete for the chance to be crowned the best of the best, winning the all important “wooden pear.”