KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The kickoff celebration for the 24th annual Kelseyville Pear Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 23, at the Wildhurst Tasting Room Courtyard, 3855 Main St.
 
The reception opens at 5 p.m. with a complimentary glass of wine, appetizers, and music by local performer David Neft.

Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and is provided by Fresh & Bangin’ Eatery in Lucerne. For those who do not know, “bangin’” was used by chef-owner John Arslanian as a kid when he wanted to describe something as “awesome.”

It promises to be a “bangin’” dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The menu includes tri-tip steak, pear slaw, smoked chicken, mixed green salad, baked beans, roasted corn salad, and corn bread with an assortment of compound butters. Coffee and dessert also will be served.

Dave Stamey, nationally acclaimed cowboy singer, returns by popular demand to entertain under the stars. In November Stamey will be inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame at the Western Music Association Award Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The oil painting used for the 24th festival poster, titled “Catch the small town magic,” created by local artist Carolyn Morris, will be auctioned during the evening and awarded to one lucky bidder.

Join in for everything the evening has to offer. The all-inclusive ticket cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available now at the Wildhurst Tasting Room or call 707-279-4302 to provide a credit card and number to have your tickets placed in will-call.