LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, MASS. (October 15, 2008) - The New England Patriots and Ocean Spray, two New England icons, celebrate the fall season with a juicy deal filled with events, attractions and refreshment - including a free-standing, 2,100-square-foot cranberry bog exhibit in Patriot Place Plaza in front of Gillette Stadium on October 25 and 26.
The game plan . . . .
KICKOFF
To help kick off this amazing spectacle, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will be inducted as an honorary Ocean Spray grower on October 23 during the unveiling of the cranberry bog.
"Ocean Spray is great because it's a family company with some of the biggest Patriots fans I've met - and I've met a few! So, I'm honored to don the cranberry bog waders," said Welker.
On October 25 and 26 Ocean Spray will create a free-standing cranberry bog exhibit right in front of Gillette Stadium in Patriot Place Plaza, using 2,000 pounds of cranberries. New England Revolution and New England Patriots fans will have the opportunity to learn about the taste, health and heritage of this indigenous fruit from third- and fourth-generation cranberry growers from Ocean Spray. Visitors can discover the fruit's unique health benefits, receive free recipe brochures, as well as sample Ocean Spray products.
Justin & Henry, the comical character growers featured in Ocean Spray's ad campaign, will also make special guest appearances on Sunday, October 26.
THE HALFTIME SHOW
Underscoring the connection between Ocean Spray, the Patriots and Revolution, the October 25 - 26 exhibit is a prelude to the cultivation of a real cranberry bog at Patriot Place. Once open, the permanent bog will be free for the public to visit year-round. An educational nature walk will also be coming soon, allowing visitors to learn more about this classic American fruit.
"As a locally based company, we are proud to deepen our support of the Patriots - an iconic part of New England culture," noted Ken Romanzi, chief operating officer of Ocean Spray, domestic. "By bringing a cranberry bog right to Gillette Stadium, fans will have the opportunity to learn about the beauty and versatility of the wonderberry."
FINAL SCORE
With all of the culinary treats Patriot Place has to offer - from snacks to fine dining - Ocean Spray has been named the official juice and official dried fruit snack of the New England Patriots, the New England Revolution, and Patriot Place. Ocean Spray's beverage and food products offer restaurant and bar operators a wide variety of high quality, great tasting options to suit all their cranberry creativity.
About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed over 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 2007 earnings of roughly $1.7 billion.
