Cranberry Harvest Festival marks 25th year

The Cranberry Cookoff will get things rolling on Friday.

October 11, 2018 1:30 am

The 25th annual Cranberry Harvest Festival will take place this weekend in Grayland, with activities centered at the historic Community Hall.

The Cranberry Cookoff will get things rolling on Friday. There are two categories: professional and novice. Ribbons will be awarded to the top finishers in several categories.

Those interested in entering their dishes may download the application at www.cometowestport.com. Entries will be accepted with completed forms at the Community Hall between noon and 9 p.m. Friday, at which point the judging will begin.

The following morning, the Cranberry Harvest Breakfast will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon at South Beach Christian Center, 1360 State Route 105.

The Cranberry Marketplace will be open Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors of all kinds will sell their goods during those hours at the Community Hall.

Entertainment will be provided by musicians Bob Gorton and Virgil Stortroen. Gorton will perform both days at the Marketplace, while Stortroen will play on the outside grounds.

Bus tours of local cranberry bogs will be conducted only on Saturday, sponsored by the Washington State Cranberry Alliance.

Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Ticket sales will begin at 9:15 at the Community Hall.

The Firefly Parade, sponsored by the South Beach Firefighters Community Support Foundation, will begin at 7:30 Saturday evening. The parade route starts at the Community Hall and runs along State Route 105 to the Grayland Fire Station.

On Sunday, registration will open at 7 a.m. for Jog the Bog and Beach. Participants may choose a run of 5K or 10K, or a 3K walk. Pre-registration also will be available Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Hall’s ticket office. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m.

The “Big Berry” weigh-in begins Sunday at 10 a.m., with the winner to be announced at 12:30 p.m.

Also on Sunday, the raw cranberry eating contest starts at 1 p.m. Then, at 2, the winning ticket will be drawn for the event’s grand prize: a “Weekend on the Cranberry Coast” basket.

The Community Hall is located at 2071 Cranberry Road, Grayland. For more information, contact the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce at 360-268-9422.