Cranberry Festival
We invite you to the Milestone Cranberry Bog and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation's 10th Annual Cranberry Festival on Saturday October 6, 2012 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Come out to the Festival grounds and watch the berries being harvested, learn about the history of cranberry farming on Nantucket, participate in the family activities or just kick back and enjoy the music and the spectacular autumn scenery of one of the most unique and beautiful places on our Island. Don't forget to bring home a pound, or two, of Nantucket Cranberries for the Holidays!
Cranberry Farming on Nantucket
Cranberries have been grown on Nantucket since 1857 and were an important part of the Island's economy until just prior to World War II. Visitors, summer residents, and even long time islanders are often surprised when they learn that the Foundation's Milestone Bog is one of the oldest, continually operated farms on the Island. There are currently 193 acres under cultivation at the Milestone Bog with an additional 25 acres in production at the Windswept Bog on the Polpis Road. The Windswept Bog is also notable because of its status as one of the few certified organic cranberry bogs in the country. Together, the Foundation's cranberry bogs produce nearly 2 million pounds of cranberries a year!
The cranberry is one of three fruits native to North America. The other two are the Concord grape and the blueberry.
Small pockets of air inside the berry cause the cranberry to bounce. Air also causes berries to float in water.
Fun -
Barnaby the Bear - Barnaby will be on hand in the main tent to meet kids and sign copies of his new book Barnaby And Wood Lily
Sheep Shearing Demonstration - throughout the day at the Shearing Tent
Kid's Events - sack races, face painting and much more - main field
Hay rides - throughout the day until 3:30
Sheep herding demonstration - main field, throughout the day
Guess the Number of Cranberries - main tent, drawing at 3:30
Wool Spinning and Weaving demonstrations - main tent; throughout the day
Algonquin Indians were among the first to harvest wild cranberries. They used them for food, medicine, and as a symbol of peace.
Wild cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving meal.
Food -
CRANBERRIES - Fresh from the bogs! Both Nantucket Cranberries and Windswept organic cranberries will be available.
Lunch - Delicious hot and cold menu prepared by Simply with Style Catering in the main food tent: Homemade clam chowder, hamburgers, salads, wraps and hot dogs for the kids
Snacks - Drinks, chips, cookies and other goodies in the small white tent
Candy - Chocolate covered cranberries and other confectionery delights from Sweet Inspirations in the main tent
Other - Something Natural Cranberry bread, Cranberry bog honey and other cranberry products from local producers all in the main tent.
Cranberries are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and other substances that help protect against health problems and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
FACTS -
Self - Guided Tour - follow the signs marked with balloons around the Festival grounds to learn more about cranberries and their historic role in Nantucket agriculture. The tour is about ¼ mile in length and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Guides - Two cranberry experts will be on hand at different locations to welcome visitors, answer questions and point out interesting facts about cranberry farming.
Free admission - parking is $10.00 a car.
Honeybees are used to pollinate cranberry crops, and are more valuable in the performance of this task than they are in the production of honey.
Directions: From Town: At the Rotary head east on Milestone Road toward ‘Sconset. At 4.2 miles from the Rotary there will be a brown rock on the left hand side of the road with the number "220" on it. Continue on Milestone Road for another 100 yards and turn left.
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is a non-profit, member supported organization that relies solely on the generosity of its members for funding. If you would like to learn more about membership or make a contribution to one of our many noteworthy projects, please contact us at (508)228-2884 or at http://www.nantucketconservation.org/.
Please keep in mind that this is a working farm and that there is heavy machinery and equipment operating throughout the Festival area all day.