As part of the first annual Cranberry Blossom Festival, grower guided tours of the cranberry bogs in bloom are being offered at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sign up to save your seat! Advance registration will be taken until June 28; you may also sign up during the event.

The tour is a unique opportunity for locals and visitors to view the beauty of the bogs in one of the most picturesque and important times of year. This agricultural experience covers the history of cranberry growing, the importance of pollination, the growing needs for each season, and allows for plenty of photographs, questions and answers.  Guests will be transported to the cranberry bogs by bus, therefore, seating is limited. Limited walking is required.  The fee is $5 per person, children under 7 free.

Other activities will be offered in Tihonet Village, a self-guided nature walk, a selection of vendors, live entertainment and a cranberry-apple pie eating contest sponsored by Makepeace Farms. Children will enjoy old fashioned games such as a hay bale maze, paddle boat rides and face painting are also offered for a nominal fee. 

The annual “Make it Better with Cranberries” cookbook release ceremony will take place at noon in Box Mill Hall.  The ceremony celebrates the winning recipes from the 2012 cooking contest featured in the 2013 cookbook. The publishers, Yolanda and Edward Lodi from Rock Village Publishing, will introduce each recipe and author.   A small sampling of select recipes will be featured.

Makepeace Farms in Tihonet Village will be open and offering a fine selection of cranberry products, fresh baked goods, lunch specials, unique New England inspired goods and $1 ice cream cones.  Makepeace Farms’ Produce Wagon will be introduced with a selection of seasonal local produce and cranberry plants for your home.