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buzz | tidbits
E V EN T S
EVENTS

IT’S BACK! THE PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
THE MEDFORD BMW SOUTHERN 69 YEARS AND GOING STRONG

OREGON CLASSIC he Pear Blossom Festival is an all-volunteer organization, dedicated
Tto continuing Medford’s oldest tradition and supporting our com-
DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S PARTY OF THE YEAR! munity and its youth. The festival started in 1954 to celebrate the Rogue
ave the date and mark your calen- Valley and its pear trees in spring bloom. In April of that year, the first
Sdars for the party of the year—The parade was one-half mile long with 30 floats. Entries couldn’t be larger
Medford BMW Southern Oregon Classic, than a wagon, or an animal bigger than a Saint Bernard, and only chil-
June 24 and 25, 2022 at Centennial Golf dren could participate. In 1964 motorized units were allowed.
Club. This amazing event is founded and
operated by Southern Oregon Magazine Today’s parade runs 2-1/2 miles, with 150+ entries and 5,000+ par-
and is all about giving back to the com- ticipants, including horse groups, bands, and floats atop semis. 25,000+
munity. A non-profit event, The Classic spectators watch the parade in downtown Medford. Former celebrity
donates 100 percent of its net proceeds to Southern Oregon chari- Grand Marshalls include Leonard Nimoy and Senator John F. Kennedy.
ties—CASA of Jackson County and the Asante Foundation.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY’S PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL INCLUDE:
For the Friday golf event, put a foursome together to challenge up » Live televising on Charter cable TV.
to 30 other teams in the afternoon shotgun, or enter as an individ-
ual and get paired up with some new friends. The round of golf at » The Pear Blossom Run with over 2,000 runners.
Centennial—a top-notch award-winning course with a view—starts
off right with lunch by Centennial Grille. » A two-day Street Fair with 150+ vendors.

Those enjoying golf on Friday will be joined by 1,300 more guests » A baby contest, a Jr. Pageant for five-year-olds, and a competition for sen-
at The Feast on Saturday night—the main event. Starting at 5 p.m., ior girls representing local high schools and vying for a $2,750 college
guests may enter a culinary and beverage paradise. Your one-time scholarship.
ticket price allows you to sample a variety of amazing food prepared by
chefs from the Valley’s finest restaurants. The servings are small plates » A yearly, theme-related, artist-created poster, which can later be seen at
and you can go back as many times as you wish. It won’t take long various venues in Jackson County.
to understand why the event is called The Feast. The cuisine, guaran-
teed delectable and memorable, will suit everyone’s taste. In addition » The Pear A Fare event promotes the valley, food artisans, wineries, and
to the culinary delights, guests can enjoy up to 12 wineries, multiple regional tourism.
beers and try unique cocktails from Southern Glazer Spirits. The all-
inclusive tickets are required and can be purchased at www.souther- » The Smudgepot Stroll 12 offers a purchased “light-up wine glass” as a
noregonclassic.com. ticket to 13 restaurants for wine samples and appetizers.

The party kicks into another gear beginning at 7 p.m. once the live » A two-day golf tournament, and the 4-ride Pedals N Pears bike event.
dance band hits the stage and plays well into the night. When we say
that this will be the party of the year, we truly mean it. The Classic » A Cornhole Tournament, the newest event.
Feast will be the biggest event of the summer and you won’t want to
miss out. In appreciation of community support, the Pear Blossom Festival has
several give-back projects: assisting high school bands and golf teams,
Be sure to check out the Silent Auction online or in person. We fill a The Maslow Project, Sparrow Club, Hearts with a Mission, Kid Time,
20’ x 20’ tent with great items like local wine and dining gift cards, ski 4-H clubs, scholarships for aspiring chefs, and a Sommelier Scholarship
passes to Mt Ashland, trips to Las Vegas and sunny Mexico, and other to assist with the education of regional wine industry employees.
specially curated items to raise much needed funds for CASA and the
Asante Foundation. The 2022 Pear Blossom Festival promises to bring back all of these
events. This year’s theme is Grow Your Community, and the Grand
Put June 24 and 25 on your calendar and check out the event website Marshal is Sanctuary One. The Southern Oregon Geocaching Club
for details. plans to organize a Scavenger Hunt during Parade weekend, promot-
ing Sanctuary One, and our downtown businesses. The honorary Grand
www.southernoregonclassic.com. Marshal is Rogue Credit Union, honoring retiring CEO Gene Pelham.

28 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2022