Cranfest 2008

We visited PeachFest in Niagara-on-the-lake this August, where our son was employed. That was fun. The fall harvest is a great tradition to celebrate. I love the Ontario festivals circuits. What is great about our Muskoka Lakes community is the efforts of local business owners to use local produce, i.e., Marty's Cafe, in Bracebridge. We believe in Muskoka.

Those who know say that this has been the best weather and the best turnout ever for our Cranberry Festival (2008 photos); (2007 photos of the bog).

Our festival's profits go to support charities in the area. I managed to convince a group of barrier-jumpers, who didn't think they needed to buy their buttons! It all goes to the community.




There are cranberries for sale, as well as cranberry bread, muffins, wine, jam, lots of local honey and other arts and craft products. We have two local bogs: Johnson's and the Wahta Reserve. They really put on a fine show with tours of the cranberry bog. Rick Mercer put us on the map last year by visiting. Last week he was in the area tubing behind our steamship.



While some of the trees have lost their leaves, many more are yellow and gold. The peak for colours was definitely a week ago.


There were tons of people, cars, dogs, babies in strollers, busses. Thanks goodness for our police officers who directed traffic.
The trolley and school busses take people through town. We had compliments on our transporation system! Visitors are advised to park at either end of town and hop on the busses. The price of admission is a $6 button.

Many thanks to the volunteers who give up their time to sit on the Board of Directors, work at the button booths and gates, coordinate volunteers, sit on the arts jury, and facilitate this event.

We sold out of our 18,000 buttons. What a great weekend!