The 21st Annual Grayland Cranberry Harvest Festival, set for this Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, centers around the historic Grayland Community Hall built by Finnish cranberry farmers in 1930.
Admission is free and there’s a lot to do and see.
The festival will include cranberry bog tours, a Cranberry Marketplace both inside and outside the hall, the ‘Bite of the Beach,’ a ‘Firefly Parade’ Saturday evening, a cranberry eating contest, a Jog the Bog &Beach 10k &5k runs and 3k walk on Sunday morning, a Cranberry Coast Getaway prize basket raffle and live entertainment both days.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Turn east off SR105 in Grayland onto Grange Rd. and go a country block to the hall.
The Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce sponsors the festival.
Cranberry Harvest Breakfast
Start your day right Saturday, with a hearty Cranberry Harvest Festival Breakfast. Held in conjunction with the Cranberry Harvest Festival each year, South Beach Christian Outreach hosts this great fundraising meal from 8 a.m. to noon at very reasonable prices. The event also includes a raffle. The breakfast is held at South Beach Christian Center, located at 1360 SR105 in north Grayland.
Proceeds help neighbors in need on the South Beach.
Cranberry Bog Tours
Bog tours will be offered on Saturday only. Grays Harbor Transit buses leave the Community Hall at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The informative trips include onboard guides who will share the history of cranberry farming in the area and bog farm owners on site sharing the details of cranberry farming from bog development to harvesting and marketing. Tickets cost $7.50 and are available inside the Grayland Community Hall starting at 9:15 a.m. Get your tickets early! These trips get booked quickly.
The bog tours are sponsored by Grays Harbor Transit, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Cranberry Alliance and area cranberry growers.
Cranberry Marketplace
Dozens of vendors featuring items from fresh-baked goods to home décor that celebrate bright bog berries will offer items both inside the hall and outside on the adjacent grounds both days.
Live music both days
Festivalgoers will enjoy live music presented by Bob Gorton and Virgil Stortroen on the hall’s performance stage and on the grounds both days.
Bite of the Beach
Visitors are invited to taste “bites” of cranberry-filled creations at a quarter a taste. Figure out which are your favorites.
Cranberry Cook-Off
Already have a favorite recipe for a dish that features cranberries? Get brave and enter it into the Cranberry Cook-Off Contest. Categories include condiments, appetizers, main dishes, salads, breads, beverages and desserts. Win a ribbon, and bragging rights. Drop off your special dish between noon and 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Community Hall for judging.
Big Berry Contest
Don’t forget to check out the entries in the local cranberry growers’ Big Berry Contest, a friendly competition that includes a traveling trophy and a whole year’s worth of bragging rights. The Big Berry Contest winner will be announced at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cranberry Eating Contest
Held in the hall at 1 p.m. on Sunday – How many raw berries can you eat in this timed event? Pucker up and go for it!
Cranberry Coast Weekend Raffle Basket drawing
Be sure to get your tickets for this great prize before the drawing on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Fire Departments host family event prior to Firefly Parade
Prior to the Firefly Parade Saturday evening, South Beach Fire Departments will host a free community party from 5-9 p.m. at the Grayland Fire Hall located at 1785 SR105.
The event will include music, free hot dogs and pop, games for the kids, fire prevention demonstrations and a Halloween Costume Contest for the kids.
‘Firefly’ Parade
Saturday night features a “Firefly Parade” of lighted Cranberry-themed floats and decorated vehicles that will travel through Grayland starting at dusk, about 8 p.m. The parade route runs north up SR105 from the County Line Road north to the Grayland Beach Approach Road. Find a place to park alongside the highway and enjoy the show. The Grayland Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the parade.
Bog &Beach Jog Sunday
On Sunday morning, step out smartly and join the Bog and Beach Jog 10K and 5K run along with a 3k walk that starts in front of the hall. Registration starts at 7 a.m. with the Bog Jogs starting at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $15 advance registration and $20 on Sunday, both of which get you a T-shirt. Advance-register online at: westportgraylandchambercam.com
This event is sponsored by Security State Bank, Frontier Communications, Islander/Vacations by the Sea, Harrington Financial, Windermere Real Estate and Brady’s Oysters.
Weekend Getaway Basket
Be sure to buy plenty of tickets for the “Weekend on the Cranberry Coast” raffle basket. It’s filled with great prizes, including an overnight stay, meals at local restaurants and much more. The drawing is Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
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