Due to COVID-19 virus, abundance of caution, major festival canceled, details on modified festivities forthcomingWHO: Fenner Nature Center
WHEN: October 17 and 18, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHAT: Fenner Nature Center’s Apple Butter Festival, scheduled for October 17 and 18, is canceled.
“Due to the continued concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus, Fenner Conservancy has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all in-person festivities for the 2020 Apple Butter 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. As a public gathering space, we take our responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 seriously, and we are confident that this is the right thing for us to do.”
In an effort to provide their long-time partners, vendors and volunteers as much notice as possible, the nature center made the decision to officially cancel the festival this week. Roxberry said they are working on an alternative way to support the organization and still celebrate the event’s history. Details will be announced October 12, and will be found at mynaturecenter.org, or their Facebook page, @fennernaturecenter.
“Apple Butter Festival is currently our longest running festival, and never in the last 47 years have we considered cancelling,” Roxberry said. “In pouring rain, gusting winds, snow, but preferably in sunshine, we have gathered as a community around the copper kettle to make apple butter the traditional pioneer way: together. We know the cancellation of this festival will be felt by our long-time attendees, volunteers and heritage artisans, so we are looking to hold on to, at least a small part, of this event. To our community: next Monday, we will have details to share, and you will be the first to know. Thank you for your support of this event and our organization.”
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.
