A.D. Makepeace – 2009 Cranberry Harvest Celebration
158 Tihonet Road
Wareham, MA
Phone: 508-322-4000
Website:
http://admakepeace.com/
You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgNiCGRhc0c
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Sunday, October 11 my Aunt Nancy, Tony, Kate and I headed to A.D. Makepeace in Wareham for their sixth annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration. The organizers of the festival put a lot of effort in making it accessible for persons in wheelchairs and I had a wonderful and exciting time. I would highly recommend attending next year’s seventh Cranberry Harvest Celebration at A.D. Makepeace which will be held in mid October of 2010.
The Cranberry Festival took place on 1,700 acres of land belonging to the world’s largest cranberry grower. There is a designated handicap parking lot with easy access; golf carts are available for those who have difficulty walking. Festival admission is $2 per person regardless of age or disability.
Food vendors are located throughout the festival; all counters are of a good wheelchair accessible height. There are many picnic tables and a few are wheelchair accessible; the top of the table extends out further at one end so a person in a wheelchair comfortably fit.
They had school buses to take visitors on a short ride to a cranberry bogs so you could see cranberries being harvested. One of these school buses had a wheelchair lift and wheelchair tie downs with a seat and lap belt.
Once at the cranberry bogs, I was able to see exactly how cranberries are cropped from the vines and then water harvested. It was an amazing sight to see as the workers put so much effort into harvesting these small cranberries that are so delicious and healthy for you to eat or drink in a cranberry juice.
Helicopter rides were available to take visitors on a five minute ride over the cranberry bogs. I was not able to get into the helicopter as I’m sure it would have been a wonderful experience. I didn’t set my hopes too high. In order to get into the helicopter you would have to be able to hop up and over into the rear seat. If you are able to get onto the seat you would be safely secured.
After viewing the beauty of a cranberry harvest we headed back to the festival. I had a lot of fun looking at the exhibits of the equipment that is used to crop the cranberries. It is amazing all the machinery that they have to use and the purpose of each one. We also stopped at some vendor stands and checked out the freshly baked products and arts and crafts for sale.
There is a small museum of cranberry cultivation artifacts and a year-round cranberry-themed store which is wheelchair accessible due to a wide ramp on the side.
The restrooms we saw are spacious, wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant; the soap and towel dispenser are within my reach.
I give A.D. Makepeace Harvest Festival FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. The organizers of the event really went out of the way to ensure that all visitors can participate in this wonderful annual Cranberry Festival!
October 9th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Dear Kenny,
I met you and Tony at the Makepeace Cranberry Festival when I brought my Mom in her wheelchair today. It was because of your review that I brought her there and we had an awesome time so I wanted to thank you. You were right. We found the folks there very welcoming and appreciated the dedicated parking lot, the golf carts, and the handicap bus. I first found your site when I searched out the Hallamore Clydesdales. Thanks for all that you do to make the world a better place. Joanne
October 10th, 2011 at 11:24 am
Hi Joanne, Thanks so much for introducing yourself at the fair. I am so glad that my website can help you and others with friends and relatives in wheelchairs! Best Wishes!! Kenny