Burst of Cranberry Colors, Food, Fun on S. Oregon Coast as Bandon Celebrates Sept 11 - 14

Published 09/01/25 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) - This month, Bandon will celebrate the 79th Annual Bandon Cranberry Festival, the standout event held each year to recognize south Oregon coast cranberry farming through education, entertainment and fun for all ages. This year it's September 11 through 14. Photo Courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts.

Boasting 79 years of family fun with a parade, festival market, evening street dance and more. You’ll enjoy live music and performing arts, classic car show and farm equipment, sports and tournaments, art exhibits and craft markets, shopping and dining, and above all, the bitterly-sweet, locally-famous cranberry-eating contest.

It's quite literally a very colorful place, and the festival is one of the largest on the entire Oregon coast.

The Bandon Cranberry Festival traces its roots back to 1947, with newspaper accounts noting the first celebration took place that November. At the time, city recorder Wesley Chappel reported to the local paper that roughly 174 acres had been planted with cranberry bogs, and the region was believed to hold the potential for up to 14,200 acres - a figure that’s long since been surpassed.

Chappel explained that the inaugural festival was partly a symbol of the town’s recovery from the devastating 1935 fire, which had nearly wiped out Bandon. He also suggested the idea may have stemmed from a time when cranberry growing in the area was still more of a pastime than a commercial enterprise. It would be years before the crop became a cornerstone of the local economy.

“Neighbors helped hand-pick the ripe, red berries,” he recalled to the paper. “The men talked of coming elections, the housewives and mothers traded recipes and ideas on child raising – and romance blossomed in the bogs. It was a festive occasion.”

Call the Bandon Chamber for more information: 541-347-9616.

Friday at the Bandon Cranberry Festival begins with the Cranberry Kitchen Contest from 9 a.m. to noon at the VFW Hall, where local cooks compete for top honors to be announced later that evening. During the same hours, visitors can browse homemade goods at the VFW Auxiliary Craft Bazaar & Bake Sale.

At 10 a.m., the Blessing of the Harvest takes place at Friday Farms, welcoming the community to celebrate the season. The Old Town Marketplace Farmers Market also opens at 10 a.m., offering fresh produce and local fare until 4 p.m., alongside the Bandon Quilt Guild’s colorful exhibit at Oddfellows Hall.

The day wraps up with the Cranberry Bowl Football Game at 7 p.m. at Bandon High School’s Tiger Field, where the Cranberry Court and Kitchen Contest winners are honored during halftime.

Saturday at the Bandon Cranberry Festival is packed with family-friendly fun, beginning with the morning parade through Old Town and a bustling Farmers Market at the Port of Bandon waterfront. Kids can dive into games and activities at the Kid’s Korner starting at noon, while the Petting Zoo opens at 11 a.m. with friendly animals waiting to be greeted. The Team Todd Cornhole Tournament kicks off at 1 p.m., followed by the ever-popular Cranberry Eating Contest at 1:30 p.m. on the Main Stage.

Throughout the day, live music fills the air from two stages - Main Stage (2nd Ave) and Alabama Avenue - featuring local bands and a lively evening street dance. Visitors can also explore the Vendor Market, Food Court, and Equipment Expo in Old Town, making Saturday a full-spectrum celebration of Bandon’s cranberry heritage.

Sunday at the Bandon Cranberry Festival begins with a hearty All You Can Eat Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the VFW Hall on Hwy 42S and Bates Road. As the morning unfolds, food lovers can explore the Cranberry Festival Food Court in Old Town from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where a variety of food trucks and vendor booths offer local flavors and festival favorites. Nearby, the Vendor Market runs during the same hours, providing handmade goods and artisan crafts.

Families can enjoy the Cranberry Kid’s Korner from noon to 4 p.m. in Old Town, with games and activities for younger visitors, while the Cranberry Eating Contest kicks off at 12:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. For those with a sweet tooth and a competitive streak, it’s a highlight of the afternoon.

Live music fills the day, with BB Gunn performing at 11 a.m. and Bryan Oliver Trio taking the stage at 1:30 p.m., both at the Main Stage on 2nd Street. Meanwhile, Rogue Strings plays at 12:30 p.m. on the Alabama Stage.

Other Sunday attractions include the Cranberry Show & Shine Car Show at 9 a.m., the Prancing Pet Parade at 9:30 a.m. in Old Town, and the ongoing quilt show at Oddfellows Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Port of Bandon Art Show Awards will be presented at 1 p.m. at the Boardwalk Amphitheater, rounding out a day full of flavor, fun, and community spirit.

Call the Bandon Chamber for more information: 541-347-9616. Or see https://bandon.com/cranberry-festival-events-2025/

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