KELSEYVILLE — An estimated 9,000 people made their way to Main Street for the 2011 Kelseyville Pear Festival Saturday.
The festival, in its 19th year, took place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and featured a parade, quilt show, arts and crafts exhibits, local music, many vendor booths and an antique engine and tractor exhibit. Marilyn Holdenried, chairwoman of the Pear Festival, said the festival “celebrates the agricultural heritage of our community.”
The event kicked off with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Holdenried said the parade had more entrants than ever before, with a total of 91. Some of the highlights of the parade were numerous antique tractors and antique cars, including a fleet of Amphicars, which are cars that can be operated as boats in bodies of water. Cheerleaders from Kelseyville High School (KHS) and the Kelseyville Youth Football League gave performances during the parade.
According to Judge Andy Dobusch, Shadow Oaks Ranch won the parade”s best float contest with their “Bartletts Goes to ?Pearis”” float. Second place went to Jellystone RV Park and Camp resort of Cobb Mountain, with costumed Yogi Bear, Boo-Boo Bear, Cindy Bear and Ranger Smith waving to the crowd.
Third place went to Jim Block Farms for their “Goldilocks and the Three Pears” float, which was driven by Dan Kane. Honorable mention went to Young”s Automotive for its 1930 Model A four-door, “used for transporting illegal ?pearshine” and a part-time getaway car,” according to their parade entry form. All winners were given ribbons and first place was awarded to the winning poster design for the festival.
The pear dessert contest was won by Rebecca Molloy for her golden pear cake pops, according to pear festival team member Janice Stokes. Second place went to Marge Malley for her pear dumplings. Third place was awarded to Sandy Cline for her perfect pear surprise. Fourth place was given to JoAnn Herring for her pear upside down cake.
Stokes said the pear dessert contest winners were awarded gift certificates to Kelseyville restaurants. First place won a $150 gift certificate to the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, second place was awarded a $100 gift certificate to Lyndall”s Sports Stop, third place grabbed a $75 certificate to Studebaker”s Coffee House and Deli and fourth was given a $25 certificate to Lulu”s Ice Cream and Dessert Parlor.
Holdenried said some new events were added this year, including a children”s theater. She said the theater stage showcased dancers from Antoinette Goetz”s School of Dance in Lakeport as well as local talents, musicians and the KHS cheerleaders.
The festival also partnered with the Big Read, an educational program ran through the County Office of Education. The festival featured numerous events to do with the Big Read, highlighted by a radio performance of Edgar Allan Poe”s “The Fall of the House of Usher” by members of the Clear Lake High School Black Box Players.
Approximately 105 different vendors were present at the festival, Holdenried said. Attendants perused all different types of knick-knacks, eateries, clothing booths and, of course, pear-related items, such as “pearitas,” or pear margaritas.
Nine different musical acts performed throughout the day, including the Gill Brothers and Friends at the Children”s Theater and Solid Air on the Kelsey Creek Stage. Holdenried said she was “proud of the variety of entertainment as well as the quality of vendor booths.”
She said more than 1,000 people visited the Quilt Show throughout the day, including folks from as far away as New York, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
The Pear Pavilion featured historical exhibits, such as a history of settlement around Mount Konocti that included many historical artifacts and a pear-farming historical exhibit. Many historical photos were on display for people to view.
Holdenried said the festival had no major incidents or problems and that it went over “great.” She said the festival would not be possible without her co-chairwoman, Sharron Zoller, and the all-volunteer team that worked all year on the event. She said the festival was a great way to “find the magic of a small town.”
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
