"You are cordially invited to attend and view the Rogue Valley Annual Pear Blossom Festival and Parade, Saturday the Twenty-Fourth of April, Nineteen Hundred and Sixty-Five."
"In the early 1950's a group of public spirited citizens, sparked by the Chamber of Commerce, conceived and promoted the Rogue Valley Pear Blossom Festival. The Festival has developed into an annual event scheduled each year to coincide as closely as possible with the blossoming in April of the 10,000 acres of pear trees.
The Festival is directed primarily each year toward the participation of children who decorate floats in keeping with the selected theme for that year.
Orchardists, merchants and community organizations participate in promoting this all day celebration which features a magnificent Blossom Parade.
In the early years a queen was selected by popular vote to reign over the Festival ... after 1957, a King was added to the Royal Court.
Business Concerns have tied in their promotional activities to enhance the Pear Blossom Week that culminates with the grand parade on Saturday.
A famous and nationally known personage is selected each year to act as Grand Marshal.
You will long remember with pleasure the Festival Week that you spend in the Rogue Valley ... join us this year?"
-- from the printed invitation, enclosed in the above pictured cover, 1965, designed and produced by Evelyn Bryan for the Southern Oregon Philatelic Society. One of the earliest covers from the club that still exists. A handful only are still available in our store.
Later years' Pear Blossom Festival covers will be added over time. See everything that's been added so far.
