September 23, 2019 at 4:23 p.m.
It's cranberry season in the Northwoods
It's cranberry season in the Northwoods
By Abigail Bostwick-
The tart and tangy fruit has a strong base in Wisconsin - the state produces more cranberries than any other state in the nation, and produces more than half of the entire world's supply of the bouncing berry, according to the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association.
Unique to the area
Locally, cranberries do "a lot" for area counties and tourism, noted Vilas County Tourism department director Cindy Burzinski.
In Manitowish Waters, Sugar Camp and Eagle River, for example, thousands of people journey towards the bogs for tours, tastings and a cranberry experience.
"They are always a huge success," Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce executive director Sarah Pischer said of the bog tours. "Locals, school groups, tourists, everyone comes to see the marshes. There's always an interest in it, every year, especially this time of year."
Fresh harvests began recently and will continue in the weeks to come. The bogs also create seasonal jobs.
Tours of marshes near Manitowish Waters began in July and will continue through October.
"People ask a lot of different questions, and we are always learning something new," Pischer said. "Everyone is definitely interested in the cranberry."
Cran-o-Rama on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Manitowish Waters is the annual event that culminates all of the berry fun, Pischer noted. Going on for more than 20 years, the annual event features a cranberry cooking contest, arts and crafts booths, free cranberry samples, marsh tours and sales. There also are raffles, educational displays and a bake sale in addition to pontoon cruises and self-guided fall color excursions.
"Not all areas do that like we do," Pischer said of the tours and local events, making it a unique area attraction. "That's a huge asset to us, to bring that here."
In Eagle River, Cranberry Fest takes place over the Oct. 5 weekend, with cranberry food sales, entertainment, souvenirs, marsh tours, a 5K bog jog/walk and arts and crafts. The event draws about 40,0000 people each year, according to Eagle River Chamber of Commerce executive director Kim Emerson.
"It is a special asset to tourism," Emerson said of the berry season. "People are very intrigued by the cranberry."
This the Cranberry Fest's 40th year, Emerson indicated.
Many local cranberries go to large production, such as Ocean Spray products. Those can be sampled at such events like Cranberry Fest.
"The state fruit definitely helps promote tourism to our area," Emerson said.
In Oneida County, Lake Nokomis Cranberries has been going strong since the late 1970s with several hundred acres and a winery that creates award-winning products, according to Oneida County Tourism Department.
The county bogs also turn out products like sausage, jams and jellies, soaps, lotions, candles and dried cranberries.
Marsh tours are ongoing.
History of the cranberry
In Vilas County, cranberry farms were started not long after World War II, when the Northwoods was sparsely populated without as many agriculture opportunities as the southern part of the state.
Through the efforts of these early pioneers who grouped together, roads, bridges, and power was developed for the southern end of the town of Manitowish Waters, according to the Chamber.
The history of the cranberry itself dates back hundreds of years - beginning with Native Americans, who mixed the mashed berries with deer meat to make "pemmican" - a type of survival cake that kept for long periods of time. They also believed in the medicinal qualities of cranberries, using them for poultices and to draw poison from arrow wounds. Additionally, the rich, red juice of the cranberry was a natural dye for their rugs, blankets and clothing.
Today, harvest typically occurs mid-September to mid-October. It occurs by partially flooding the berry beds with water brought in by a series of pumps and culverts. To collect, a tractor and rack implement go through each to knock the berries from their vines. After, beds are fully flooded to permit cranberries to float to the surface. There, they can be collected and separated from debris, which itself is later sold as compost around the area.
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