Cranberry Interpretation Centre

Saint-Louis-de-Blandford has established itself as Quebec's undisputed cranberry capital, a fruit whose production experienced remarkable growth in the region at the turn of the 21st century: while only three producers cultivated 264 acres in 1992, the sector already counted 66 producers operating 4,355 acres by the end of 2009, making Quebec the world's third-largest producer of this small red fruit with recognized beneficial properties, particularly for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections. Founded in 1996 by the Agri-Food Consultation Board of Central Quebec in collaboration with the municipality, the Cranberry Interpretation Centre opens its doors according to a strictly seasonal schedule coinciding with the spectacular fruit harvest period, generally from mid-September to mid-October, during which a massive tent is erected in the center of the village to welcome the many visitors eager to witness this particularly photogenic aquatic harvest. The experience combines guided hayride excursions through harvesting fields, an interpretation room presenting the fruit's history and properties through explanatory panels and a giant model, tastings offered by local processors, and even the fun opportunity to don boots and immerse yourself directly in a pool filled with floating fruit — an experience that has become the most recognizable trademark of this annual agritourism event called Canneberge en fête.