Come on over to Lake County on Saturday, September 29th for the Kelseyville Pear Festival. It’s a fun family event with something for everyone.
The Kelseyville Pear Festival was first held in the fall of 1993 when the Kelseyville Business Association decided to feature one festival per year promoting the agricultural heritage of the community. The Festival has grown in attendance and popularity over the years to a happy audience of 9,000 last year.
Classic components of the Festival are food and music, arts and crafts booths, a Parade, a Quilt Show, and a Pear Dessert Competition. Additions over the years that have become traditions are an Antique Tractor Exhibit and a Pear Packing Competition. If you’re not that familiar with Lake County, this is a great introduction.
Events at the 2012 Kelseyville Pear Festival
Parade – Kicking off the day’s events, the Parade is packed with kids, tractors, horse drawn wagons, antique cars, floats, and featured in the Parade are the Grand Marshall and the Prince and Princess of the Festival.
Food – At the Kelseyville Pear Festival you will find BBQ, sandwiches, popcorn, hot dogs, and adult beverages. There will also be plenty of pear-based desserts, including pear pies, pear shakes, and pear ice cream.
Arts and Crafts Booths – Along Main Street in Kelseyville you can wander through an amazing array of fine quality hand-crafted items with a focus on pear inspired creations.
Fine Arts Show – The lobby of WestAmerica’s bank is transformed into an arts show of classic and contemporary art.
Quilt Show – At the Methodist Church you can find an exhibit of colorful quilts with heirloom, classic, and unique designs.
Children’s Activities – For younger children at the Kelseyville Pear Festival, there will be a Jump House and Games at the Presbyterian Church. For older children, behind the St. Peter’s Catholic Church you can find face painting and high school entertainers.
Antique Tractors – On Main Street by the Kelsey Creek Bridge will be antique tractors of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Pear Pavilion – In a big white tent in the middle of town you can enjoy a collection of antique farm equipment, photos of Lake County from the past, and packing house labels as well as pears and pear products from local farmers.
Pear Dessert Contest – If you want to compete, judging will be on Friday, September 28 and your recipe may become part of future publications (but please realize that all recipes become the property of the Kelseyville Business Association). Go here to get the details on the 20th Annual Kelseyville Pear Festival Pear Dessert Contest.
Lake County is a destination with plenty of attractions for visitors, even beyond the annual Kelseyville Pear Festival. After all, you’re right next to Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California and the weather will probably be in the 80s. If you’re in the mood for some wine tasting during your visit, please go here to read about our Favorite Wineries in Lake County, including Rosa d’Oro Vineyards and Wildhurst Vineyards in downtown Kelseyville on Main Street.