13 Million Cranberries To Create Spectacular Tribute In Front Of The Richmond Olympic Oval

LAKEVILLE- MIDDLEBORO, Mass., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A colossal depiction of the Canadian Olympic Committee's logo, made from 13 million cranberries, will float in the Fraser River running in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval throughout the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The tribute celebrates Richmond's top agricultural crop and honors the Winter Games.

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The installation will float within a 46,000 sq. foot parameter in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval, home of the 2010 speed skating competitions. Built specifically for the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games, this state-of-the-art building has been called the "crown jewel" of the Games, based on its award-winning architectural beauty and innovative green features.

Richmond is an official Venue City of the Games, and is Canada's largest producer of cranberries with more than 60 family-owned farms, the majority of which are part of the Ocean Spray Cooperative.

"The cranberry grower-owners in Richmond are thrilled to help create a magnificent display that shows our pride as a Venue City for the 2010 Olympic Games and celebrates this thriving industry in our city," said cranberry grower Todd May. "Our family has been growing cranberries in Richmond for four generations, and we're proud to continue the tradition of providing a versatile fruit that's good for you and is enjoyed all over the world."

No heavy equipment will be used to create and remove the cranberry logo installation. The cranberries will be contained by an enormous custom net created by world-class sail makers. Specially designed anchors will hold the display in place without disturbing the natural environment and will accommodate the tide's rise and fall.

"We salute our Richmond grower-owners who are participating in the creation of this beautiful visual spectacle that celebrates the long heritage of cranberry farming in the region," said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. "More people worldwide are discovering the taste, versatility and health offered by the cranberry, so we see this as a great opportunity to educate people about where cranberries come from, and create something beautiful and inspirational."