Courtland celebrates the 52nd Annual Pear Fair

COURTLAND, Calif. (July 27, 2026) – People from Courtland, the Delta, and beyond came together July 26 to celebrate the 52nd Pear Fair.

The day was filled with a variety of pear-themed food and drinks, live music, dancing, a duck calling contest, a parade, the crowning of the Pear Fear Queen and King, and vendors selling pear-themed and other crafts.

The Pear Fair is a quintessential Delta event, with the region’s rich history in pear farming and a community that shows up to support the Pear Fair year after year.

The event is 100% volunteer-run.

“It’s really community driven. We’ve got community members coming out to volunteer their time, some of them for more than 20 years,” said Angelica Pappalardo, a volunteer on the Pear Fair Committee.

“Volunteers are essential to the livelihood of the Pear Fair.”

Lots of the attendees are just as dedicated as the volunteers are. Deanna Reeve, a resident of Elk Grove, said she has been attending the Pear Fair since 1981.

“I have only missed four years, so I have been to 41 Pear Fairs,” Reeve said. “To me, the fair brings a lot of nostalgia.”

The fair serves as a celebration of the pear harvest in the Delta region, a way to bring the community together in support of the local orchards.

“A major aspect of the fair is to just understand our rich culture in the Delta,” Pappalardo said.

Pappalardo also talked about the importance of sourcing pears during the harvest season, buying local fruit instead of imported.

Reeve ensures she does exactly that. She always buys locally during pear season.

As a volunteer, Pappalardo loves to see everyone dancing to the music. “It’s so fun to see everybody just come together, let loose, and have a good time,” she said.

A day filled with community, good food, music, and fun. Pappalardo’s word for it: “Pearfect.”

– Makena Lendahl