Eaten raw, cranberries are said to have a bitter taste. Among its many health benefits, cranberries are reportedly high in vitamins, provide dietary fiber, are low in calories and are linked to a lower risk of urinary tract infections.
These powerful berries tend to grow on low shrubs or vines, often in bogs and marshy areas, and once a year at the end of September, they are the focus of a community celebration in Callander known as Cranberry Day.
On Saturday, hundreds of people enjoyed the family atmosphere, from activities for the children to a scavenger hunt, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides and vendors. Families and friends walked the popular Cranberry Trail roughly two kilometers to the viewing station and marsh, where berry pickers went to work.
Liseanne Boissonneault used last years berries to make a sauce for Thanksgiving.
"We came last year and we had so much fun that we were looking forward to this year. Last year was our first time so we didn't come prepared. We filled up Tim Hortons cups full of cranberries. We shoved them in our purses and our pockets," laughs Boissonneault. "So this year we're all prepared with ziplock bags."
Ideal weather conditions helped bring out the crowds.
"I like seeing all the people out here. I like the enthusiasm, I like seeing the kids and how excited they get. It's just a great day," said Julie Faubert as she walked the trail.
Now in his 70's, George Etches says he has been picking cranberries for quite a few years, often walking to the marsh early in the morning.
"There's a lot of high grass, you have to pretty well dig for them. A lot of people say there's not a lot of berries but you have to work to get at them. They're similar to blueberries, they grow on bushes but they're not in the open, some of them are buried in grass and some are underwater," said Etches.
He says there's no comparison between freshly picked berries, and store bought.
"I eat them raw," Etches laughs. "My wife likes making them into a sauce, putting them on turkey and also on top of roast of pork when you're slow cooking it. It really works well. What we don't use we freeze and use them when we need them. They're good to bake with, cranberry muffins are really good to eat."
Traditionally found on the dinner table at Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are many uses for cranberries throughout the year, from baked goods to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, jams and sauces. Dried cranberries often find their way into salads or eaten on their own as snacks.
Vendors brought a variety of prepared goodies, showcasing their cranberry products. One treat many people aren't familiar with is cranberry fudge, but Heather's Fudge based out of North Bay has created three interesting flavours.
"We have the plain cranberry, we have cranberry-orange and lemon-cranberry which is a new one this year. We use real dried cranberries and cranberry flavouring," explains Jon Wood.
"Our first cranberry festival was in Bala (Muskoka Lakes Township) a few years ago and we sold out. We've been here in Callander three years now. We never thought of cranberries as a standard fudge flavour, so when we sold out at the Bala cranberry festival a few years ago, we thought we would give it a try and it has been a success here in Callander as well."
Catharina Nordbeck, Events, Marketing and Community Enhancement Coordinator for the municipality, says Cranberry Day offers a fun, fall activity for anyone who wants to take part.
"Many people are interested in an active lifestyle and being outdoors, and that is what Callander is all about, the outdoor activities. We want to take advantage of that and just show what Callander has to offer," said Nordbeck.
Located near the Kate Pace Way, people were encouraged to ride their bikes to the festivities as a way to enjoy the outdoor experience. Those who did were entered into draws for their efforts.
Nordbeck says this is the fourth year for the event which she expects will continue to grow.
