The annual Cranberry Festival drew about 2,000 people to the Grayland Community Hall last weekend. Attendees browsed vendors’ wares, bought fresh-picked berries by the pound, and participated in contests and bog tours.
A brave few entered the raw cranberry eating contest: six adults, four children and just one teen — Einar Sharpe, who won that category by default.
Kendall O’Hagan won the children’s division by a single berry, and two contestants tied for the adult title: Michelle Corey and Richard Johnston.
The cranberry cookoff was another story, drawing 49 entries this year.
Best in Show went to 16-year-old Kiana Morrow of North Cove for her cranberry beignets with hot cranberry-honey glaze.
“Kiana’s mom has won Best in Show for three years,” noted festival volunteer Tanya Lana, adding that Kiana herself has been improving through the years.
Here are the other cookoff winners, by category:
OVERALL
Presentation: A Step Back in Time, LeeAnn Hughes
Director’s Choice: Cranberry Mint Vodka, Maggie Shepherd
Honorable Mention: Chocolate Cranberry Cream Puff, Janice Ma
NOVICE
Appetizers: Turkey flatbread with roasted onion, goat cheese, arugula and cranberry sauce, Amy Weasa
Beverages: Cranberry cinnamon spritzer, Karen Huntington
Condiments: Warm winter jam, Leona Williams
Confections: Cranberry fondant, Janice Ma
Pies: Cran-apple pie with orange walnut glaze, Sharon Crook
Bread & Muffins: Cranberry walnut twist, Janice Ma
Bars: Surprise cookies (gluten free), Joanne Barney
Cookies: Cranberry crumb tart, LeeAnn Hughes
Desserts: Cranberry pumpkin cake with brown butter sauce, Angela Weasa
Cobbler: Cranberry-pineapple cobbler, Lorraine Harvey
Main Course: Brat with fresh slaw and cranberry relish, Karen Huntington
Salad: Arugula & goat cheese with cranberry vinaigrette (local produce), Amber Goehrung
Side Dish: Cranberry orange pineapple relish, Joanne Barney
Vegetable: Sweet potato with fresh cranberry slaw, Karen Huntington
Misc.: Herbal cough syrup, Emily Beard
PROFESSIONAL
Pie: Cranberry tart with thyme mascarpone and gingersnap crust, The Sweet Stuff
Bread: Lemon cranberry cake, Nancy’s Bakery
Beverage: Cranberry ale, Blackbeard’s Brewing Co.
(Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group) In the children’s division of the cranberry eating contest, little Dana Reynolds (held by her mom, Kat Reynolds) was given a head start, cheered on by eventual winner Kendall O’Hagan at right. In the background is festival organizer Tanya Lana, with more cups of berries at the ready.
(Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group) Six adults entered the cranberry eating contest: clockwise from top left, Jackie Diles, Hana Tweed, Richard Johnston, Jesse Diles, Kat Reynolds and Michelle Corey. Johnston and Corey tied in the first round and again in the second, so they were both declared winners.
(Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group) Michelle Corey, co-winner of the adult division in the cranberry eating contest, shows off her prizes, donated by Ocean Spray.
