One of the Rogue Valley’s biggest events of the year returns to downtown Medford this weekend.

The 71st annual Pear Blossom Festival celebrates the beginning of the spring season with blooming flowers and prospering pear trees, and Southern Oregon’s biggest parade of the year is on tap once again, along with weekend events and activities.

This year’s festival includes the parade — a Medford tradition since 1954 — plus dozens more activities including the Pear Blossom run, a two-day street fair and the Smudge Pot Stroll wine tasting tour through downtown Medford, along with dozens of other activities to get involved in.

“It’s just exciting to see, keeping this tradition alive that people really enjoy and feel apart of,” said Darcey Mann-Self, president of the Pear Blossom Festival Association for close to 30 years.

Activities are set throughout April, but the main event is the Pear Blossom Parade through downtown Medford starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13.

Other events include the Pear-A-Fare Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, centered on local beer, wine and artisan foods; the Pear Blossom Run Saturday, April 13, organized by the Rogue Valley Family YMCA; the festival’s street fair from noon to 10 p.m. April 12, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13.

Some of those activities include a cornhole tournament, the Tour De Pear bike ride, a two-day golf tournament at the Stone Ridge Golf Course in Eagle Point and much more.

For a full list of events with times and dates, visit pearblossomparade.org/calendar.

For more information on the festival, visit pearblossomparade.org.