The perfect little town.. Bala
Located a few hundred kilometers north of Toronto, you'll find the small town of Bala, located within the Muskoka region of Ontario. It is primarily a summer cottage destination for city dwellers. What makes Bala stand out from other small towns in the area is its yearly Cranberry Fest.
The town pushes the predominately summer tourist season a couple of weeks longer each year by organizing a festival that always takes place the weekend after Canadian Thanksgiving. This festival celebrates everything Cranberry from preserves to sweets, to candles and even wine. There are helicopter tours, craft markets and of course, Cranberry Marsh tours.
I've heard talk about this festival a few years ago from friends who had a cottage in nearby Gravenhurst. They look forward to it every year. I'll admit the promise of a cranberry marsh tour and a local craft show didn't make me want to run to my car and make the drive. However the enthusiasm for the festival from locals was enough to make me want to see what this was all about. What better way to see Bala then during it's most celebrated Festival?
The crisp autumn air just smelled like small town Canada. The festival is laid out in a way that it encompasses the whole town. On a Saturday morning parking is almost non-existent. Not to worry, everything is very well organized, complimentary bus service will take you from a parking section to all the sites. Our day started with a quick trip to Bala Falls. From there we walk by the historic Kee To Bala, a pavilion built in the 1940's that is the centre of the summer music scene for all of Ontario's Cottage Country.
Our journey continues when we find a makeshift bus stop and are told by a friendly volunteer that the bus for the Marsh visit is only a few minutes away. After a short wait a big yellow school bus comes down the highway. The bus driver for the day happily takes us to Johnston's Cranberry Marsh. There we endure a little rain on a wagon tour of the marsh where we learn about the growth and harvesting of the Cranberry, which comes into season about three weeks before the festival each year. We indulge in a taste testing from the onsite winery, all of their vintages made with locally grown fruit (Nothing says Cranberry Fest without Cranberry wine!)
Our final stop proves to be the highlight of our day. Although it's a bit dark and cloudy, it doesn't look too much like rain. We find a lonely helicopter on the ground and search out the pilot. He comes out casually glances at the sky, he doesn't seem to worry about the weather, and a couple of minutes later we're airborne. I'm no stranger to planes, however I've never been in a helicopter before. Without a doubt, this is the best way to see it all. The Muskoka region is known for it's trees, lakes and cottages, and that's all the eye can see.
Our ride only lasted about 15 minutes, but it was enough to see it all. Bala, Ontario is a picturesque town. Leaving the big metropolis and heading out to see small places, especially during local festivals is the optimal time. Bala knows how to celebrate all that makes their small town so great, and I'm glad that I had a chance to see firsthand the great Cranberry Festival.
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