With pear sampling events spanning the globe, Pear Bureau Northwest will celebrate World Pear Day on Dec. 8.

The event, now four years old, begins National Pear Month, designated in December by the U.S Department of Agriculture.

Samples of Northwest pears will be distributed Dec. 8 to consumers in more than two dozen export markets. The international event will be chronicled on USA Pears social media channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook), using the #WorldPearDay hashtag, according to a release.

“World Pear Day is a great way to draw awareness to Northwest pears during peak season,” Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, said in the release. “It is fantastic to see its popularity growing each year with more interaction with retailers and consumers around the world raising pear enthusiasm and purchases at the pinnacle of the pear season.”

World Pear Day events begin in New Zealand, and move west around the globe. More than 24 countries will sample USA Pears, including Taiwan, India, United Arab Emirates and Mexico, according to the release.

There are more than 1,000 in-store sampling events scheduled in the U.S. and Canada. The day of celebration ends in Leavenworth, Wash., in conjunction with the city’s annual Tree Lighting Festival, where visitors will get to meet pear growers.

More information about World Pear Day activities is available online