Cranberry Festival in Chatsworth, NJ

The 29th annual Cranberry Festival was held in the center of town in Chatsworth on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21. More than 160 arts and crafts and food vendors and more than 35 different antiques dealers were in attendance each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, selling anything and everything handcrafted, old-fashioned and/or cranberry.

“If you can make it out of cranberries, we have it at the festival,” said Lynn Giamalis, chairwoman of the Festival Committee of Chatsworth. “Cranberry mustard, vinegar, jams, jellies, marmalade, ice cream, muffins, cake, dumplings, fritters, fudge. If there’s something you can make cranberries with, someone will do it.”

Photo via newsworks

Well, New Jersey is the nation’s third largest cranberry harvester. What else did you expect?

The festival has been celebrated for the past 29 years in tribute of the area’s cranberry cultivation, which began in the 19th century. Its main goal has been to help restore and preserve the White Horse Inn, which was built in the early 1800s. The hotel was near ruin before the townspeople decided to save it. Fully restored, it now stands as the town’s community center.

“But we still need to raise funds to maintain it,” explained Giamalis. “And people love going to the festival. Each year it gets bigger and bigger,” she added.

The Bullzeye Band entertained guests throughout the weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Influenced by legendary musicians such as Lynryd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and Tracy Lawrence, among others, the band played some of the greatest country, funk and Southern rock music, both covers and originals.

A pack of wolves from the Howling Woods Farm, featured in Disney’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” film, also made a guest appearance.

An Antique and Classic Automobiles Show, featuring more than 100 vehicles, took place all day Sunday, weather permitting.

It was a good idea to arrive at the festival early, as the small town became harder to navigate through once filled up with excited event-goers. Those who arrived bright and early were sure to take advantage of the breakfast served each morning between 6 and 11 at the Chatsworth Volunteer Firehouse. A food court, located behind the White Horse Inn, was open throughout the festival.

Many people also took advantage of the Information Booth. The assistants there helped participants find their way around the fair. A brochure with a brief run-down of the town’s history help get them started.

Admission to the festival was free. For more information about the festival, visit cranfest.org.


A version of this article was published in The SandPaper.