Joining the fun when Medford community spirit is on parade!

Rogue Waste vehicles hit the street to celebrate this year’s Pear Blossom Parade!

When April rolls around each spring, that means it’s Pear Blossom Festival time in the Rogue Valley — another reason we love being part of the Medford community. Whether you came out for the street fair, the Smudge Pot Stroll, the Pear A Fare or got sporty with the golf tournament, Pedal for a Couse “Tour de Pear” bike ride, or the Pear Blossom Run, it’s events like this that make our area so special — and the companies of Rogue Waste are proud to be a part of it.

Let the parade begin!

Since 1954, tens of thousands of southern Oregon locals have cherished the Pear Blossom Festival and its many events. This year’s parade — always a highlight — traveled the downtown streets on Saturday, April 13. Organizers estimate a crowd of roughly 30,000 was on hand as local businesses, community organizations and area schools filled the streets with floats, dance groups, marching bands, equestrian units, clowns and more. Having an entry in this yearly hometown parade is a long-running tradition for Rogue Disposal & Recycling.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “The Pear-Fect Pearing,” the Rogue Disposal & Recycling entry carried a banner reading “The perfect pearing of community! Rogue Disposal & Recycling + the people of the Rogue Valley. Good things come in pears!” But unlike previous years, our 2024 parade entry consisted of 3 Rogue vehicles instead of just 1! — showcasing all the different ways we’ve been professionally and safely serving the people of the Rogue Valley since 1938.

First up was the front loader, driven by Samuel Sanchez, a driver who has been with the company for two-and-a-half years. Following that was a big white Rogue Shred truck with Alex Perez, a Rogue employee for seven years, behind the wheel. And bringing up the rear was the big red residential truck, driven by Susan Green, who’s been running neighborhood routes for the past three years.

This year’s parade featured more than 150 entries and over 4000 participants, with an estimated 30,000 enthusiasts lining the parade route. This parade is a pillar in the community, putting a spotlight on the pride we all have in the Rogue Valley. Since 1991, scholarships for area high school senior girls have been a hallmark of the festival.

The Grand Marshal for this year’s Pear Blossom Parade was The Medford-Alba Sister City Association. These two towns — Medford in Oregon and Alba in Italy — have been sister cities since 1960, with the organization started as a way to bring people together to extend the powerful bonds of friendship. And in celebration of their 90^th year, Medford’s own premium food and gift company, Harry & David, was named as the honorary Grand Marshal.

Once again, Rogue Disposal & Recycling was proud to be part of this year’s Pear Blossom Parade and we agree that good things come in pears! Like a culture of safety and a dedication to the people of the Rogue Valley. Whether it’s collecting curbside recyclables, providing educational opportunities for kids, supporting the arts or helping local folks in need, Rogue Disposal & Recycling joins with you to make the perfect pearing of community!