Go west, young cranberry - tourism in Bandon, Oregon - Brief Article

Sunset, Sept, 2000 by Bonnie Henderson

If you think they grow only in the East, you haven't visited Bandon, Oregon--home to cranberry bogs and a cranberry court

Cranberries may be indelibly linked in the public mind to the flinty shores of New England, but they also love Bandon, Oregon, where they thrive in the sandy soil and mild climate. Bandon in turn loves its favorite fruit, honoring it annually with a Cranberry Festival that includes a high school Cranberry Bowl and the coronation of a teen Cranberry Queen or King. The festivities begin in early September--the warm-up act to the main event, the October-long harvest. If you're any kind of fan of these tart little spheres-not true berries, botanically speaking-Bandon is the place to go.

Cranberries have been grown commercially on the West Coast for a century, and Oregon now ranks fourth among the states in cranberry production-top among Western states. A vast majority of Oregon berries comes from bogs right around Bandon, on the south coast. Most are wet-picked, meaning that growers flood their bogs with water, then use mechanical harvesters to loosen the floating berries from the vines. They are then scooped up to be used in juice, sauce, candy, and other products that require only good flavor (not physical beauty). A smaller percentage is dry-picked for the fresh produce market, including a small organic crop produced by the Coquille Indians and a handful of other local farmers.

Seeing red at the Cranberry Festival

Though harvest time is October, some of those dry-picked berries show up in Bandon Little Farmers Market in time for the Bandon Cranberry Festival, September 8 to 10. There's a parade with the smiling Cranberry Court, craft booths lining Second Street, a barbecue thrown by the local Lions Club, the big football game, live music on two stages-everything you'd hope for in a small-town festival. And if you re too early-or too late-for fresh berries at the farmers' market, pick up a pound of cranberry fudge or another treat at Cranberry Sweets & More, open year-round in Old Town.

Faber Farms offers free tours of the bogs from June through the second week in November. There's always something to see, but no time rivals harvest time: The bogs are crimson with ripe berries and turning leaves, and they're a frenzy of activity, with mechanical harvesters and hip-booted helpers cruising the flooded fields. Al Faber supervises the farm's cranberry receiving and shipping facility, while his wife, Ann, oversees the tours and sells gourmet cranberry products, cranberry candles, cranberry-colored Fenton glassware-you get the picture-from a gift shop on the premises.

Just curious? You'll see some bogs if you drive north or south a few miles out of Bandon on U.S. 101, or explore the backroads east or southeast of town.

Bandon travel planner

The clearest, warmest weather on the southern Oregon coast often comes in the fall. Area code is 541 unless noted. Get help planning your trip from the Bandon Information Center & Chamber of Commerce; 347-9616 or www.bandon.com.

Lodging options include a few cozy B&Bs and oceanfront motels. There are luxurious rooms, suites, and a golf course at Bandon Dunes. From $115. 57744 Round Lake Dr., (888) 345-6008.

Shopping

Bandon Little Farmers Market. The organic-friendly market sets up in the courtyard of the Old Town Juice Bar. The market's last day this year is September 16. 10-2 (or until sold out) Sat. 350 Second St.

Cranberry Sweets & More. 9-6 daily 280 First St. SE; 347-9475.

Faber Farms and Cranberry Scoop Gift Shop. From U.S. 101, head east 1 1/2 miles on State 42 South and turn right on Morrison Rd. Watch for the farm's sign after about 1 mile. 10-4 Mon-Sat. 519 Morrison Rd., 347-1166.