Harvest time: Festival features cranberries, parade and Bog Jog

By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Fall has officially arrived: It’s cranberry season.

The Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce and Grays Harbor Tourism will present the 26th annual Cranberry Harvest Festival next weekend, Oct. 12-13. The festival and related activities will run from 8 a.m. until late evening Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. Sunday.

Professionals and novices wishing to enter the annual Cranberry Cookoff must drop off their submissions at the Grayland Community Hall on Friday, Oct. 11, between noon and 9 p.m. No entries will be accepted after that time.

There are 11 categories this year, ranging from beverages to snacks to main dishes. Judges will make their decisions based on presentation as well as taste. Print the application at www.westportgrayland-chamber.org/calendar.php, and turn in the completed form with your entry.

The Cranberry Harvest Breakfast will kick things off Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the South Beach Christian Center, 1360 Highway 105.

At the Community Hall, visitors may purchase fresh berries brought in from the nearby bogs, browse various vendors’ booths, and listen to live music by Bob Gorton and Virgil Stortroen throughout the weekend.

Guided tours of the Furford Cranberry Museum and the Reichenberger farm, sponsored by the Washington State Cranberry Alliance, will be offered only on Saturday. The fun and educational tours will begin at 10:30, noon, 1:30 and 3. Ticket sales open at 10 a.m. in the lower level of the hall. Those interested are advised to buy their tickets early to ensure bus seats are available at their preferred times.

Weigh-ins to determine the single largest cranberry of this year’s harvest will be conducted at the hall Saturday between 10 and 5. The winner will be announced Sunday afternoon.

Staging will start at 6:30 p.m. in the hall’s parking lot for the Firefly Parade, sponsored by the South Beach Firefighters Community Support Foundation. The traditionally bright, colorful parade will begin at 7:30 along Highway 105. Those wishing to participate must fill out an entry form in advance. The form and parade rules are available online at www.westportgrayland-chamber.org/calendar.php.

Jog the Bog and Beach registration packets will be available at the hall on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Entry fees are $15 for those who register Saturday or earlier, $20 for those who register Sunday morning. The 5K and 10K runs and 3K walk will begin at the hall on Sunday at 9 a.m., with the winners to be announced at 11.

The cranberry eating contest will take place on the Community Hall stage at 1 p.m. Sunday, and the raffle winner will be drawn after that. The prize is a “Weekend on the Cranberry Coast” basket.

For more information about the festival and related events, call 360-268-9422.