Due to rapidly evolving current events, abundance of caution, festival is cancelled, sales moved to online marketplace
WHO: Fenner Nature Center
WHEN: March 14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHAT: Fenner Nature Center’s Maple Syrup Festival, scheduled for March 14 is cancelled.
“Due to the rapidly evolving current events surrounding the COVID-19 virus, Fenner Conservancy has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all onsite activities for the 2020 Maple Syrup Festival,” said Liz Roxberry, executive director for the organization. “Public safety, as well as the safety of our staff and volunteers, is of the utmost importance. Though this decision will deeply impact the organization’s fundraising for the year, we are confident that this is the right thing for us to do.”
In an effort to minimize impact to the organization, Fenner Conservancy has launched a virtual Maple Marketplace where the products typically sold at the festival will be for sale on their website, mynaturecenter.org, under the ‘Maple Syrup Festival’ tab. Products are available online in a variety of packages, with optional add-ons like maple cotton candy and extra maple syrup. Once orders are placed, customers can pull into designated ‘curbside pickup’ parking spots, call the nature center, and have their order delivered right to their car. Individual maple products are also available in Fenner’s Explore Store during the Visitor Center’s open hours.
“We don’t want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to enjoy their favorite maple treats made right here in mid-Michigan, so we are hosting a virtual Maple Marketplace on our website,” program manager Jenny Mensch said. “The Maple Syrup Festival is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. In light of current events leading to the suspension of the festival, we really need the public to purchase products and donate to ensure that we can continue our work of conservation and education here at your community nature center. Please consider making a Maple Marketplace purchase or a donation.”
WHERE: Fenner Nature Center is located at 2020 E. Mt. Hope Avenue in Lansing.
For more information, visit Fenner Nature Center on the web at www.mynaturecenter.org. Or call us at 517-483-4224.
About Fenner Conservancy: Fenner Conservancy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and managing body for Fenner Nature Center, connects people to nature in the heart of Lansing through conservation, education, and stewardship.
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