In the 1980s, downtown Bordentown in New Jersey was not an exceptionally thriving place. Empty shops and a handful of bars were the only attractions.
So when a group of local merchants and public officials led a revival to refurbish sidewalks and storefronts, they thought they needed a festival to show off the results. So Jackie Reed, co-founder of the Downtown Bordentown Association (DBA), set out in search of funding. When she secured sponsorship from the nearby Ocean Spray plant, organizers named the festival after the company’s famous juice.
And now, what started in 1989 with just 12 crafters and roughly 4,000 guests on Walnut Street has grown into a beloved event nearly 10 times as large with over 100 crafters and 40,000 guests packing into the entire Farnsworth Avenue business district.
This year’s 34th annual Cranberry Festival will welcome artisans and vendors from near and far on the first weekend in October. The list of vendors will likely top 150 - last year’s brought in 155.
While it’s named after cranberries, this festival is about much more than that famous juice.
One of its main attractions is its showcase of artistic talent. It’s a specially curated event that champions the skills and creativity of emerging artists, and crafts of all kinds – including woodworking, pottery, textiles, jewelry making, metalworking and leatherworking.
A small sampling of the artist vendors reveals something for everyone. Folk Art by Ibi is run by Bordentown resident Ibi Stinehart, who hand-paints personalized porcelain cups. Philadelphia-based artist Dustin Scarfpin, who runs Bambino Glassware, offers all different types of drinking glasses, ornaments, and decanters. Blue Door Vibes is based out of Connecticut and repurposes hand-painted shells from the sea. Home Sweet Home, based in Bordentown, is where artist Claudia Teal creates one-of-a-kind illustrations of a beloved home, church, or other building. Lastly, Astro Vinyl Art out of Pottstown creates intricate art pieces out of vinyl records.
This is a juried arts and crafts show, so there will be “Best of the Fest” ribbons awarded in each of the major categories: jewelry, wood, metal, leather, glass, ceramic, stone, mixed media, art/photography, fabric/fiber, health/home, specialty food, and, of course, cranberry. There will also be an overall “Best in Show” ribbon. These ribbons will be awarded on the first day of the two-day festival so that they can be proudly displayed.
In addition to the more than 100 artisans, the Cranberry Festival also has a schedule of live music performances, a beer garden, and a selection of food from Bordentown’s award-winning restaurants.
Among the many food and drink vendors is Cream Ridge Winery, out of nearby Cream Ridge, NJ. Another big hit is the handcrafted dog treats from Spoiled Rotten Boutique and Bakery. Although nonservice dogs aren’t allowed at the Cranberry Festival, four-legged friends can still enjoy the tasty treats that are brought home.
With so many vendors along Farnsworth Avenue, those on the ends of the street can feel out of sync with all the activity happening in the middle. So Valerie Sassaman, festival coordinator, helped add some “gateway entertainment” on either end of the street for this year’s event.
Erik Weedeman, a Philadelphia-based painter and muralist, will bring his signature style to create a painting of the festival as it is underway, and members of Bordentown Walking Tours will be on site – and in costume – to tell stories and talk about the city’s history. Additionally, PCM Theatre Company will be performing its original skits and stage productions in partnership with Trenton Makes Improv.
All told, it’s a massive undertaking that brings a wave of excitement, and celebration, to this roughly one-square-mile borough.
“It’s something that everyone’s really proud of,” Sassaman said. “It represents our town…It gives me chills to see how the town is growing.”
But Sassaman quickly notes that no one needs to wait for the festival to visit Bordentown. The borough is full of offerings all year long.
Some favorites – including the Bordentown Sculpture Foundation and the nearby estate of Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon’s brother) – are year-round attractions for art and history buffs that will also be featured at the festival, along with the regular lineup of restaurants which attract foodies year-round.
The 2024 Cranberry Festival will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 5 and 6. To learn more, visit btowncranfest.com.
