The 2023 Courtland Pear Fair
From pies to mimosas, just-picked fruit and more, don't miss the "Big Day" on July 30.
In the tiny Delta town of Courtland (population 600), the last Sunday of July is known as the “Big Day”—a celebration in honor of its primary crop, the pear.
“This is the one day of the year when there’s actually traffic,” says Ryan Elliot, a sixth-generation farmer at Stillwater Orchards.
It is expected to begin with early morning runs along winding pear-tree-lined roads to rev up the metabolism for a feast of fair treats like pear fritters, pear doughnuts and pear mimosas.
At the Pear Parade, you’ll see a dedicated tractor pulling the year’s largest pear and the Pear Fair Royal Court making their much-anticipated appearance. This year’s events is also expected to feature a moment of silence for two community leaders who have recently passed: Matt Hemly of Greene & Hemly orchard and Barry McClain, chairman of the Courtland Fire Protection Department.
While Courtland growers cultivate a variety of pears, from the russet-skinned Golden Bosc to the creamy French Butter, the most popular is the Bartlett, which turns golden yellow to signal the moment of custardy ripeness. Just-picked fruit will be available by the bushelful at the festival and can also be tasted in fresh-baked pie form, a recipe carefully guarded by the River Delta Unified School District’s PTA coalition. If you want your slice a la mode, Gunther’s pear-studded ice cream is likely to put a cool, creamy spin on Big Day swelter.
“Pears brought a lot of farmers and families to the area 160 years ago,” says Elliot. “We still pay homage to the heritage they started.”
Free ($20 parking). July 30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 180 Primasing Ave. Courtland. pearfair.com
MUST EAT
Using a decade-old hush-hush recipe, homemade pear pies are baked by PTA parents, who dish out over a thousand slices of the dessert to bankroll student activities.
This article originally appeared as part of our 16 Fun Food Festivals in 2022 feature and has been updated for 2023.
