Thousands are leaving Eagle River with full stomachs, after celebrating the 29th Annual Cranberry Fest this weekend. From cranberry soda to cranberry brats, the event showcases everything you can do with cranberries.
Organizers say this is the biggest event of the year in Eagle River, and it's used not only to showcase the state fruit, but also what the town has to offer. "You have people staying in the hotels and all the resorts, they're eating in all the restaurants, they're stopping at the gas station they're going downtown and shopping at the stores as well," says Kim Emerson, Events Coordinator for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce.
About 50,000 people pour into the town of Eagle River over this weekend. Organizers say they sold out of over 15,000 pounds of cranberries before the festival was even over.
Not only does the festival bring in revenue for the town, for the past 20 years local organizations raise funds to sponsor community programs. This year the Eagle River Jaycees, Rotary and Tennis Clubs cooked at the fest. They expect to raise about $25,000 this year.
