The Cranberry Festival Is This Weekend In Chatsworth, New Jersey
The famous Chatsworth Cranberry Festival returns this weekend to the Pine Barrens, to celebrate all things Cranberry, and more!
First, a little history…
The town of Chatsworth is an interesting settlement. It’s history is alive and well even today. According to the official Chatsworth Cranberry Festival website, https://www.cranfest.info/ The 19th century White Horse Inn is a familiar landmark as you pass through the village of Chatsworth, the Capital of the Pine Barrens. Furthermore, Chatsworth is located in Woodland Township, Burlington County. Furthermore, it is an area over 96 square miles and with a population of approximately 2000 residents.
(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
Interestingly, it is the largest township with the smallest population in the county. The early settlement of the area can be traced back to the late 1700’s. In 1760, iron bog ore deposits were being used to supply cannon balls in the Revolutionary War. Sawmills were built to supply materials as the population grew. Meanwhile, In the 1820’s, settlers came from Ocean County and began farming the land. In the late 1800’s the town had one church, two stores, one school, a wheelwright and blacksmith shop. Also, a railroad station and about 20 homes, the population was 389. It was in the late 1800’s that cranberries came into the picture. Blueberries were not cultivated until the late 1930’s. However it has been the cranberry bogs that have given Chatsworth it’s place on the map. Hence, the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival!
The Epicenter of the Festival is the old White Horse Inn, now home to Buzby’s Eatery and General Store, located at the intersection of Route 532, and Main Street.
The Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival is the third full weekend in October. This year the Festival falls on Saturday and Sunday October 21st & 22nd, 2023 9am to 4pm, throughout downtown Chatsworth. The Cranberry Festival is sponsored by the Festival Committee of Chatsworth. The event is always a good time, featuring a juried craft show, with 150 vendors. In addition, there are tons of food vendors, live music, and a flea market and…
(Alexander Aksakov/Getty Images)
(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Oh but of course, plenty of cranberries!
There will be bags of fresh cranberries, along with dried cranberries, or “crazins”, if you will. Plus, there will be cranberries to drink! That’s right, in the form of juice, cider, wine, soda, and more! Cranberry muffins, scones, bread, cakes and pies. Homemade cranberry sauce, relish, salsa, jam, and even cranberry cranberry chili! However, one of my all time favorite reasons to go to the annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival, is to purchase Miller’s Cranberry Hot Sauce. It truly is like no other hot sauce I’ve ever had, and a perfect condiment heading into the holidays. you can get it all this weekend at the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival.
Here are some scene’s from last year’s Festival!
Parking is free on Route 532 if you don’t mind the walk, however there are pay lots closer to all the action.
(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
