Pearty on!

There’s breezy down-home Delta festiveness this Sunday, July 31, at the 39th annual Pear Fair in Courtland, 20 miles south of Sacramento off Highway 160. Despite a growing number of visitors—7,000 last year—the event still maintains its small-town charm with a classic car show, a cute parade at 1 p.m., complete with floats and the crowning of the Pear Fair Queen. Live music, for sure, like Larry and the Lobsters. Arts and crafts. A 5- and 10-mile run at 8 a.m. For the younger ones, a petting zoo, circus, bounce house, pony rides and a pie-eating contest: pear, of course. Older kiddos can groove on pear cider. Not surprisingly other drinkable and edible options featuring the versatile Bartlett include, but are not limited to, pear smoothies, pear fries, pear ice cream, pear strudel, pear crepe and pear mimosas. All pear, all the time. Says Huell Howser, from California’s Gold on KVIE: “The pear pies alone are worth the trip.” There are other food opportunities, too. It’s all tow away all the time on Highway 160. There’s $10 parking for the all-day event near the fairgrounds. The money benefits local charities and the Courtland Fire Department. Quite the blast and a half for free admission. Come down and pearty on!

Kid and adult runs begin at 7:30 and 8 a.m.; fair begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.pearfair.org.