Visitors to Eagle River’s Annual Cranberry Fest can join the locals to eat, drink, wear, bake, and decorate with cranberries, tour the cranberry bogs and area winery, participate in cranberry cookoff events, and visit all kinds of exhibits.
“A wide array of cranberry-related foods will be available,” says Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Executive, Conrad “Connie” Heeg, “Including fresh cranberries, the world’s largest cranberry cheese-cake, hot spiced cranapple drink, gourmet cranberry meatballs, cranberry chili, cranberry mustard, lots of fresh baked goods, and more.”
The two-day event will also feature a cranberry fitness walk-run-or-bike; continuous entertainment starting with a big kick-off dance Friday evening, bus tours of area bogs and cranberry winery; and petting zoo for the kids. Shuttle buses will transport visitors to the various activities in the Eagle River area during Cranberry Fest.
The bake-off features competitions in breads, main courses, and beverages. There’ll also be a Bog Bridge Tournament; weaving exhibit; photo contest; auction; and huge craft show.
“This is a celebration of northern Wisconsin’s number one fruit crop and the goodness and joy of Wisconsin’s entire fall harvest season,” Heeg smiles. “We try to insure that everyone — singles, seniors, and families with kids — will enjoy the varied activities, and also learn about the history and importance of cranberries to the Eagle River area.”
And, since some 20,000 people generally attend this two-day annual event, Heeg recommends early reservations to insure lodging and facilities of choice.
[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user dailycollegian]