Celebrate the Cranberry! Can’t-Miss Tours and Festivals in Northern Wisconsin

Did you know that Wisconsin is the world’s largest producer of cranberries, providing 52 percent of the world’s harvested cranberries? Contrary to common belief, cranberries do not grow in the water but on low vines in sandy marshes and bogs. During this time of year, farmers flood the bogs, causing the buoyant berries to float to the top, to harvest the berries. The bright red seas of floating berries are an awesome sight! You can see it up close and learn more about cranberries by touring a cranberry marsh this fall. Here are three local opportunities.

• The Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce, along with the local cranberry farms, offers a free tour of local cranberry farms every Friday morning during the harvest season. Meet at the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce building at 10 a.m. for a video, cranberry samples, prize drawings, and Q&A. Then bring your own vehicle to the Vilas Cranberry Company marsh for a closer view of the bogs.
• Lake Nokomis Cranberries in Eagle River offers tours from September 16 to October 16, Monday through Saturday, at 11 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. A bus will bring you to each stop on the tour; walking is minimal. If you’re planning on bringing a group of six people or more, please call ahead.
• James Lake Farms, a certified organic cranberry marsh in Three Lakes with 65 acres of vines, provides harvest tours on Saturdays at 2 p.m. during October.

Celebrate the Cranberry

There are so many reasons to celebrate the wonderful cranberry. Aside from being beautiful and delicious, the cranberries are a major crop in this region, which helps promote a healthy local economy. Cranberries tout many health benefits, too. They’re higher in antioxidants than many other fruits and berries, which aids in the prevention of a whole host of health issues. Cranberries are also lower in sugar than many other fruits, and they are high in vitamin C, helping out your immune system during the upcoming cold and flu season. So with all of those stellar attributes in mind, join the festivities at one of northern Wisconsin’s fantastic cranberry festivals.

• Manitowish Waters Cran-A-Rama will be happening 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Events include the Lioness bake sale, an arts and crafts fair, cranberry sales, and a self-guided fall foliage tour—in addition to free pontoon cruises and more cranberry marsh tours!
• Eagle River Cranberry Fest will take place at the Vilas County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6. Cranberry marsh tours will depart from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center on Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, as well as the official Cranberry Fest days. Cranberry fest events include a massive arts and crafts fair, cranberry food sales, entertainment, a wine and beer garden, and the 5K Bog Jog.
• Stone Lake Cranberry Festival will be happening Saturday, October 5, with other exciting related events leading up to the official festival day, such as the harvest dinner on Thursday, complimentary wine (Schoolhouse Wines) and beer (Whistle Punk) tastings on Friday.