Hood River Pear Celebration

Fruit Loop Celebrations

Activities for September 20–21, 2008

Hood River Valley is famous throughout the nation and the world for its wonderful pears. Autumn is the perfect time to take a leisurely drive on the back roads of the Hood River Valley, the largest pear growing region in the U.S. During the peak of pear harvest, fruit stands and attractions all along the valley's scenic Fruit Loop celebrate with special activities. Sample more than 18 varieties of pears, enjoy pear desserts, artisan foods, a glass of pear wine, live music, a corn maze, and more. See below for a list of last year's activities.

• Apple Valley's Peach Celebration and Country BBQ
  Fresh baked peach pies, cobblers, and crisps. Country BBQ serving cherry-wood smoked ribs, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, all served with pear coleslaw and cider baked beans. Peach milkshakes, turnovers, and more. Be sure to sample our 50+ varieties of jam including our Peach Habanero pepper jelly! Call 541-386-1971.
• The Original Pear Party at Rasmussen Farms
  Free admission. This is the peak of the pear season with 18 varieties plus free samples! Pear pie and other desserts, live music, lots of recipes, and samples of Oregon food products. Hood River Vineyards wine tasting featuring pear wines and perry (pear hard cider). Picnic area.
• Desserts Galore! at Kiyokawa Family Orchards
  This is one you don’t want to miss! A spread of delectable desserts made by local bakers with our finest apples, pears, and peaches. Take home recipes and make a sweet creation of your own! Spend the day with a picnic, orchard tours, hay wagon rides, and lots of family fun!
• Alpaca Fiesta at Good Fortune Farms Alpacas
  We’re celebrating this season’s bumper crop of beautiful baby alpacas—called crias. The “Name the Alpaca” game and a “cute cria” photo contest are part of the festivities. Shop for special deals at goodness alpaca boutique. Call 541-352-7925 for details.
• Chris Blysma and Brown Sheep Company Trunk Show at Cascade Alpacas and Foothills Yarn & Fiber
  Showing of hand-knitted garments designed by Chris Blysma and crafted of yarns by Brown Sheep Company. See our newest baby alpacas and learn how alpaca fiber is made into yarn.
• Family Fun at the Draper Girls Country Farm
  Bring the family out to the farm. September brings our biggest selection of fruit for picking. We have peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, raspberries, and many kinds of apples. Enjoy our fresh, non-pasteurized apple cider as you walk around the farm and visit the animals.
• Harvest Celebration at Phelps Creek Vineyards
  Join us for a special open house on our hillside vineyard. Tour the vines and taste the grapes as we count down to harvest. Enjoy the pre-release tasting of the new Pinot Noirs.
• Pear Affair at Cody Orchards Farm Stand
  Come and help us celebrate the Oregon state fruit. Sample pear, cheese, wine, and cider, tour our pear orchard, and enjoy many fun family activities.

Activities for Last Year's Pear Celebration

• Apple Valley's Pear Dumpling Days & Country BBQ.
  Stop in for an old fashioned Country BBQ featuring cherry-wood smoked ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or chicken served with our homemade pear coleslaw and apple cider baked beans. Splurge on one of our Pear Dumplings, stuffed with sugar and spices, wrapped in flaky pie crust, baked to perfection and topped with our special sauce.
• The Original Pear Party at Rasmussen Farms
  Enjoy live music each afternoon; wine tasting, all kinds of pears, pear pie, pear treats, free recipes, and their very popular Corn Maze. This year's theme is "Jack and The Beanstalk."
• Desserts Galore! at Kiyokawa Family Orchards
  They're teaming up with some of the area's best creative bakers to prepare a mouthwatering selection of apple, peach-and pear-desserts using fruit from the Kiyokawa orchards. Take recipes and fruit home to make your own!
• Hood River Lavender Farms
  Visit for delicious Orchard-Pear Lavender Scones topped with Organic Lavender Honey. There are lots of other lavender goodies, U-pick lavender, and gorgeous scenery, too.
• Lavender Valley Lavender Farm
  discover extra large d' Anjou pears for sale, and lavender vinegar, farm-distilled lavender oil, lavender honey, lavender bath and body products, and lavender soap. Enjoy the antique show and displays.
• Good Fortune Farms Alpacas
  Help celebrate the season's crop of beautiful baby alpacas at the Alpaca Fiesta at Good Fortune Farms Alpacas with fiber arts demonstrations, the "Name That Alpaca" game, and a "cute cria" (baby alpaca) photo contest. Shop for special deals at Goodness! alpaca boutique.
• Cascade Alpacas and Foothills Yarn & Fiber
  Comme meet Leigh Radford, author of AlterKnits, an inspiring work encouraging knitters to expect the unexpected, to enjoy experimentation, and to see the possibilities of knitting with broader vision, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22. Leigh's writings are popular and inspirational to knitters!
• Draper Girls Country Farm
  visit friendly farm animals and savor delicious non-pasturized cider and blends, including pear, apple, pear-cherry, and pear-apple. Enjoy free samples, and pick pears or a variety of apple varieties in their U-pick orchard.
• Pearl's Place
  Sample many wonderful varieties of pears at Pearl's Place, all grown on the family farm. Select your favorites to create customized gift boxes for family and friends.
• The Fruit Company
  On Saturday, Sept. 22 only, take a personalized tour of their orchards, their gift-packing facility, and the Fruit Heritage Museum. Find gourmet goodies at their Farmers Market: sparkling pear cider, chocolate covered pears, hand-milled cheeses, fresh pears and other fruit. Their pears made Oprah's list of Favorite Things!
• Alice's Orchard & Fruit Stand
  Harvest your own box of pears in the U-pick orchard at Alice's Orchard and Fruit Stand. Find pear recipes, activity books, free Gator rides, and other family fun. Saturday, Sept. 22, only, they're offering an old-fashioned BBQ lunch.