Elmira's Tanglewood Nature Center is preparing to welcome community members back to its scenic campus for the return of its premier yearly benefit, "Twilight at Tanglewood." The seasonal gathering brings together conservation advocacy, community engagement, and regional culinary offerings for an evening dedicated to sustaining local environmental resources and educational outreach.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, the gathering will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the organization’s home campus located at 443 Coleman Ave. in Elmira. To maintain a relaxed social setting, the nature center has designated the event strictly for adult patrons who are 21 years of age and older.
At its core, the gathering serves as a vital fundraising vehicle designed to secure crucial funding for the non-profit facility. Proceeds collected throughout the three-hour event are earmarked directly toward general organizational support and the specialized, ongoing daily care required to house and feed the center’s roster of permanent animal residents.
A central highlight of the event schedule is the opportunity for attendees to participate in intimate animal encounters. Guests will have the chance to meet the center’s collection of avian ambassadors while dedicated staff members share background stories detailing each bird's history, biology, and path to the facility.
Individual admission to Twilight at Tanglewood is priced at $50 per person. Organizers have assembled a comprehensive ticketing package that encompasses full beverage sampling privileges, one entry into the evening's raffle drawings, access to live entertainment, and guided interactions with the featured wildlife.
Ticket holders will also be granted admission to an all-you-can-eat dessert bar to accompany their beverage selections throughout the evening. Furthermore, the nature center announced that guests arriving at the event will receive a commemorative Tanglewood tasting glass to keep, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
A significant draw for attendees is the diverse array of regional craft beverage producers pouring their signature offerings across the grounds. The nature center has partnered with an extensive lineup of area breweries and wineries to deliver an authentic sampling experience highlighting the craft culture of the region.
The roster of featured beverage producers includes Personal Best Brewing, Staggering Unicorn Winery, Wetlands Brewery, and Liquid Shoes Brewing. They are joined by Little Clover Wine Company, Horseheads Brewing, REKT Brewing Company & Taphouse, Lakewood Vineyards, and Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, giving patrons an expansive selection of regional wines and craft beers.
Complementing the drink tastings, attendees will find a variety of independent food trucks stationed across the campus. These mobile vendors will offer hearty meal options available for purchase throughout the evening to balance the diverse beverage selections.
In addition to the food and beverage offerings, the event features a vibrant slate of artistic and musical entertainment. Attendees can enjoy an outdoor live musical performance by musician Trevor Clark, who will provide a melodic backdrop across the hillside venue.
Guests looking for visual arts will also be treated to live artisan demonstrations during the gathering. Experienced glass artist Jen Kuhn will be on-site executing live flameworking exhibitions, allowing patrons to witness the intricate craft of hot glass manipulation and sculpting firsthand.
Interactive fundraising games will be woven throughout the evening to provide guests with extra avenues to contribute to the facility's mission. Beyond the standard ticketed raffles, the event will feature a popular liquor pull, giving participants the opportunity to take home premium bottled spirits through chance drawings.
The gathering directly fuels Tanglewood Nature Center’s core organizational mission, which focuses on advancing environmental preservation initiatives and delivering robust environmental education across the region. The organization strives to build meaningful public awareness, understanding, and stewardship of regional ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
The physical facility currently maintains an expansive trail network consisting of more than 10 miles of designated paths open to outdoor enthusiasts. Alongside its trail system, the center delivers wide-ranging educational programming suited for both youth and adult learners, while acting as a sanctuary for more than 40 native and exotic animals housed across its exhibits.
Demonstrating its role as a key regional destination, Tanglewood Nature Center welcomes more than 35,000 visitors through its doors each year. Looking toward future growth, the campus is currently constructing an ambitious 900-foot suspended walkway, a capital project intended to provide visitors with sweeping aerial views of the landscape while serving as a major tourism draw for the Elmira area.
Community members who wish to purchase admission tickets or learn additional details regarding Twilight at Tanglewood and its ongoing conservation initiatives can access full event details via the organization’s official website at tanglewoodnaturecenter.com.
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