MEDFORD, Ore. — With increasing concerns and precautions against the new coronavirus now dominating public life in southern Oregon, organizers for the 2020 Pear Blossom Festival announced on Monday that the vast majority of events have been canceled this year.
This year marked the 67th annual Pear Blossom Festival. Though the traditional crop of pears in the Rogue Valley has increasingly been replaced by hemp, the beloved Festival has been going strong.
"With heavy hearts, the Pear Blossom Festival Board is announcing that the following events have cancelled for the 2020 Festival Year," Festival president Darcey Mann-Self said in a statement. "We would like to convey our appreciation to our sponsors for their support and loyalty. We would also like to thank our vendors, participants, friends and fans in all events for their patience and understanding during this time."
Perhaps the most iconic events canceled for the year are the Parade, Pear a Fare, and Street Fair. Also canceled are the Junior Pageant; Scholarship Competition; Golf Tournament; Youth Golf, Chip, Putt & Drive; Smudge Pot Stroll; Cornhole Tournament; Pedals N Pears Bike Event; and the Medford Soroptimist's Baby Contest.
Most of the events were scheduled for the weekend of April 10 and 11.
"We hope to see all of you in 2021," Mann-Self said. "The Pear Blossom Festival has grown in the past several years, and we will start our usual planning in May for the 2021 Festival."
RELATED: Pear Blossom Parade changes through the years (2019)
Mann-Self confirmed that all events put on by the Pear Blossom Festival Association have been canceled, but events put on by other organizations may make separate decisions.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge.
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