Among the special attractions at this year’s Warrens Cranberry Festival are New Beginning’s Ranch pony rides, camel rides and petting zoo, as well as Cassidy’s Critters with baby kangaroos and monkeys, T.C. Harter living statue and Alex Clark’s comedy circus acts.
Bree Morgan and David Lund DJ will perform on Friday and Saturday. Balloons by Kevin will be on hand Friday and Saturday, too. Mobile robots will be strolling the grounds on Sunday.
Just a few of the cranberry foods you’ll find on the Festival grounds include: Cranberry Bliss Cookies, Cranberry Mac & Cheese, Coconut Shrimp with Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Sweet Rolls, Baby Cakes with Cranberry Curd, Cranberry Sausage and Cranberry Bloody Marys.
CRANBERRY DISCOVERY CENTER
The Cranberry Discovery Center is the place to learn all about Wisconsin’s No. 1 fruit crop. Housed in a historic cranberry warehouse in downtown Warrens, the museum features exhibits and interactive displays, including a cranberry corralling game where you can test your skill. The museum is offering a special admission rate during Cranfest: $2 for adults and $1 for children in grades K-12.
After your tour, treat yourself to a scoop or two of their artisan-made cranberry ice cream or have a bite to eat in the newly opened Shirley Ann’s Cafe. NOTE: The cafe will be serving a limited menu during Cranfest.
QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES PANCAKE BREAKFAST
For more than 50 years, St. Andrew Catholic Church has hosted a pancake breakfast during the annual Warrens Cranberry Festival. Members of Queen of the Apostles Parish will serve breakfast from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. all three days of the Festival.
The menu includes buttermilk pancakes with choice of cranberry syrup made by the church women or organic maple syrup, sausage links, cranberry sauce, milk and cranberry juice.
Mass will be offered at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
WARRENS TRAIL TWISTERS WINE GARDEN
The Warrens Trail Twisters will again have a Wine Garden at the west end of the Warrens Cranberry Festival office building. The Wine Garden will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Along with wine, the group will be serving beer, soda, water and food.
BOG’S EDGE BREWING COMPANY
Bog’s Edge Brewing Company will have extended hours during Cranfest. Cousins K&J will play on Friday night from 7 to 10 p.m. Joe is brewing Dairylander, Bomber Blonde, Kolsch and Stout throughout the month. See the brewery’s Facebook page for updates.
THREE BEARS RESORT
Three Bears Resort will have live music every weekend in September, including Cranfest weekend. Click here to see who is performing. The indoor water park will also be open on weekends during September.
D’S RED SHED CREATIONS
D’s Red Shed Creations will be at Cranfest again on Oakwood Street west of the Oakwood House Yarn Shop. Owner Danita Murdock will have a variety of cranberry scented soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, bath salts and lip balms.
“I will have other scents as well, such as lavender, lemongrass, jasmine, eucalyptus and some fun combinations. Other products available will be natural deodorant, shampoo bars, lip balms, beard oil, dog shampoo and room sprays. Stop by and say hi and enjoy the smells,” Danita said.
KINDRED CANDLES
Kindred Candles will have the same two booth locations for Cranfest again this year. One booth is near the corner of Railroad Street and Church Street in Sandy Knoepker’s yard. The second location is on the corner of Pine and Hayes Street.
“All your favorite fragrances and containers will be available again this year. We accept cash and cards. Can’t wait to see everyone again,” said Jason Krultz.
SMITTY’S OVERTIME INN
Finish off Cranfest weekend and join the gang at Smitty’s Overtime Inn in Valley Junction for the Packers/Cowboy game. Kickoff for the Sunday night game is at 7:20 p.m. Dawn will have $2 beer specials and $8/pound wing specials. The kitchen will be open until 8 p.m. unless they are busy and then they will remain open until 9 p.m.