Moragans Pay Homage To Their Patch of Pears

For the 13th year, Moraga hosted it's annual Pear Festival -- taking time to remember a bit of town history and all the pear orchards that once covered Moraga.

Commons Park served as the focal point of Saturday's event while other events kicked off around town. Mayor Karen Mendonca oversaw the planting of a tree in the Commons in honor of Arbor day - and got some help from Town Council members Mike Metcalf, Howard Harpham and Ken Chew.

“We always declare arbor day at the Pear Festival because it’s the best time to plant,” said Mendonca.

There was plenty to do for all ages.  A Kids Zone featured bouncy houses and there was a coloring contest. Various groups took the stage to entertain the crowd, including the Lafayette Town Hall Theater Children’s Glee Club and Stone Soup. Foodies found fun and some localvore fame in the pear recipe contest held at the Moraga Parks Foundation Booth.

When all was said and done, the Moraga Parks Foundation donated 10,000 pears picked by locals to the Food banks located in the Contra Costa and Solano counties.