Cranberries are one of the only native fruits commercially grown in B.C., and on Oct. 10, Fort Langley will be selling the best of this year’s harvest — 10,000 pounds of it.
It’s one of many perks offered at the 20th annual cranberry festival, happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Village of Fort Langley.
Not only can visitors purchase fresh, local cranberries for their Thanksgiving dinners, there will also be 115 artisan vendors set up along Glover Road, 15 food trucks, live entertainment, a children’s activity area and cranberry/pumpkin obstacle races done by Dragon boat on the Fraser River.
The Lions Club will also be hosting a pancake breakfast on Church Street in front of St. George’s Church at 8:30 a.m., and to help with traffic congestion, there will be free shuttles to the festival from the Walnut Grove Community Centre and Trinity Western University from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Though small, cranberries pack a lot of power. Filled with antioxidants, Vitamin C, and fibre, they are also rich in flavour and history.
First Nations along the Fraser River used the berry for food, dye and medicine, and they were an important trading item with the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Today, farmers continue the tradition, with 12 per cent of the North American cranberry crop coming from B.C. soil.
For recipes and to learn more about cranberries, go to www.bccranberries.com.