Cranberry harvest season underway in Bala ahead of annual festival

A picture-perfect day marked the start of the cranberry harvest in Bala. Sunny skies and mild temperatures were just enough to draw people out to the fields for an afternoon of watching the action.

Tori Westerby was among those enjoying Friday’s experience, “I know the boys are definitely going to love seeing all the machines and watching how they do the harvest.”

At the Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery, staff are in full swing. The farm harvests about an acre a day across its 27 acre land.

Murray Johnston says last year’s yield hit around 500,000 pounds. This year, production is expected to be about half of that after winter damage, but he remains upbeat.

“We’re open for at least six weeks until the end of October. You know we’ll have over 30,000 of my closest friends show up. It’s kind of fun,” said Johnston.

All of this comes just weeks before one of the region’s biggest annual events: the Cranberry Festival.

Local businesses are gearing up for the sweet but tart rush.

Jane Macdonald of Smoking Birds says the crowds are no joke, “It’s ridiculous. There are lineups down the road.”

Named one of Ontario’s top 100 events, the festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to the area each year, extending the tourist season into fall. This year marks its 41st edition.

Festival coordinator Alannah Oliver says the team is working full tilt, “We are in full planning mode. We’ve got lots going up on social media to keep people informed. We are all hands on deck.”

As for the Cranberry Festival itself, it runs from October 17-19.