By Amy Batista, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY —The 23rd annual Cranberry Festival shut down Farnsworth Avenue as thousands of people from throughout the region visited on Saturday.
The festival, sponsored by Ocean Spray’s Bordentown City facility and Downtown Bordentown Association, was scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.
However, due to inclement weather, the Sunday portion of the Cranberry Festival was cancelled at approximately 1:30 p.m.
”Ocean Spray’s Bordentown Plant was proud to be a sponsor of the 23rd annual Cranberry Festival in Bordentown City,” said Tim Haggerty, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. plant manager in Bordentown City.
”We join the city in celebrating this region’s long cranberry growing history with such a fun, well-attended and popular event,” Mr. Haggerty said. “What a simply fabulous event that the Downtown Bordentown Association puts on for the fine folks of both Bordentown City as well as for the township and the overall Burlington County. It’s a fantastic way for local vendors to meet and greet their community and their neighbors.”
Saturday, approximately 20 thousand people browsed the merchandise of 140 vendors on hand offering a variety of items including homemade crafts, jewelry, candles, home baked goods, painted glassware, knitted scarves, seasonal decor, wood crafted items, ceramics, note paper and cards, art, sculpture, photography, cranberry bread and sauces, and Jersey Fresh Wines.
”We come every year and it’s a lot of fun,” said Helen Payne of Chesterfield.
”We like to come every year,” said Nicole Scabarozi of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. “The kids love it too.”
Ms. Scabarozi said that visiting the festival is a yearly tradition for her family.
”We wouldn’t miss it,” said Ellen Scabarozi of Yardville, who is Nicole Scabarozi’s mother. “We just have a great time. It’s a great introduction into the fall.”
”It’s the food, it’s everything,” said the grandmother regarding what drew them to the event, as her grandsons enjoyed fall-shaped pumpkin and candy corn chocolate shaped lollipops.
”It’s really fun,” said Courtney Levine, 12, of Monroe.
Food aromas filled the air as vendors were available for attendees along Farnsworth Avenue including the option of al fresco dining at some restaurants, which were opened directly behind the vendors.
”We are eating our way through the town,” said grandmother Selma Levine of West Windsor. “We come twice a year to the Cranbury Festival and the Iris Festival and we love it. I like the crafts.”
People also enjoyed the sense of community that the event showcased.
”It’s wonderful,” said Angela Petranto, of Bordentown, who brought her grandchildren to the festival. “It’s great to see that it is community oriented.”
Many of the vendors reported that “business was good.”
”It looks like a good crowd,” said Anne Edwards, co-owner of Edwards Christmas Tree Farm in Wrightstown. She has been attending the event for the past five years.
Ms. Edward’s booth was filled with seasonal décor ranging from Indian corn, decorative pumpkins, gourd pumpkins that were painted to look like penguins and painted gourd bird houses.
”It’s always a nice event,” Ms. Edwards said. “The people are always nice and they are in the mood to decorate and in a nice, fall mood.”
Susan Pierson, owner of Castle of Dreams, has been attending the festival since 2008 and her mom has been helping her.
”I do very well here,” Ms. Pierson said. “People do shop and buy.”
”I think it’s great,” said Charlotte Weise of Riverside, who is Susan Pierson’s mother. “It’s a nice day and a nice weekend.”
Ms. Weise said that she explores what different vendors offer throughout the festival with her daughter.
”It’s worth putting (our products) all out and coming,” Ms. Weise said.
The Jack Shack took second prize in the “Best Display Booth” according to Makenzie Shirley, 11, of Southampton.
”It’s nice, they have a nice turnout here,” said David Moore, owner of Jack Shack, and Makenzie’s step-father.
”We have real pie baked in a Mason jar,” said Yanni Tsakiris of Philly. “Apple, pumpkin and chocolate pudding are your choices.”
”I found the recipe online and my husband and I were looking to do something creative. And, he loved the idea,” said Tracia Tsakiris of Philadelphia. “This is our first go at this festival.”

