¡¡¡¡LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- This November, Ocean Spray is painting the town red-with cranberries! Bringing to life the magnificent experience of the cranberry harvest, Ocean Spray''s Bogs Across America tour will transform landmark sites in New York City (Nov. 1-3), Chicago (Nov. 7-9) and Los Angeles (Nov. 15-17) into a sea of glimmering, red berries. Each free-standing bog exhibit will contain about 2,000 pounds of cranberries brought in from Ocean Spray bogs across the country.

    And who better to share the story of the cranberry than the growers who experience the harvest first-hand every fall? Third, fourth and fifth- generation cranberry growers from Ocean Spray will be available to explain the harvesting process, discuss their own growing history as well as share more information about the taste, health, and heritage of the cranberry. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the fruit''s unique health benefits and get recipe ideas just in time for Thanksgiving. The comical character growers featured in Ocean Spray''s ad campaign will also make special guest appearances on the first day of each stop on the tour.

    While most Americans are already fans of the traditional cranberry sauce, log or relish found on many Thanksgiving tables, few realize the year-round versatility and rich history of the cranberry-one of only three fruits native to North America.

    Legend has it that cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Despite being a Thanksgiving institution since Colonial Times, only 66 percent of Americans are aware of the term "cranberry bog." Because cranberries are only harvested in select areas around the United States and Canada, most Americans have never seen a real harvest. Ocean Spray wants to change that by bringing the beauty of the harvest on tour in America.

    Ocean Spray will also be announcing the winner of its first Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest on November 1. The creator of the recipe that best incorporates this tart and tangy versatile fruit will receive a $25,000 check and a year''s supply of Ocean Spray products. The top four finalists'' recipes will be available on www.oceanspray.com.

    "Bogs Across America" 2007

    The Bogs Across America exhibit is free and open to the public.

    November 1 - 3, New York''s Rockefeller Center: Ocean Spray''s "Big Apple Bog" will come to Rockefeller Center where growers will share their stories with New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The 1,500 square foot bog will be displayed in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

    November 7 - 9, Chicago''s Tribune Tower: Pioneer Court: Ocean Spray''s 2,000 square foot "Windy City Bog" will travel to Chicago and will be on display near the landmark Tribune Tower. The Chicago Tribune Tower is located amidst the Magnificent Mile, on North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.

    November 15 - 17, Los Angeles'' Hollywood & Highland Center: Ocean Spray''s "Red Carpet Bog," at 1,800 square feet, will make a star studded appearance in the heart of Hollywood. The Hollywood & Highland Center is among the most visited tourist destinations in Los Angeles and includes Grauman''s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards.

    About Ocean Spray

    Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 650 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as about 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed 75 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America''s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2006 sales of roughly $1.5 billion.

    Source: Ocean Spray
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