The Tanglewood Nature Center is preparing to welcome regional residents and visitors back to its Elmira campus for the return of its annual "Twilight at Tanglewood" benefit. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, the special fundraising gathering will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., providing community members with an evening that blends craft beverage sampling, wildlife interactions, and live artistic entertainment in an outdoor setting.
Organized as an adult-focused gathering, the event is open exclusively to individuals who are 21 years of age and older. All financial proceeds raised throughout the three-hour program will go directly toward supporting the nature center’s operating budget and sustaining the ongoing daily care, nutrition, and medical attention required for its resident animal population.
The fundraiser will unfold on-site at the organization’s main grounds, located at 443 Coleman Ave. in Elmira. By utilizing its outdoor campus, the organization aims to give attendees an immersive experience that highlights the natural beauty of the property while raising vital capital for its continuing community initiatives.
General admission tickets for the evening are available for $50 per person. A single ticket purchase covers a wide assortment of perks, including beverage tastings, one entry ticket for the evening's raffle drawings, full access to scheduled musical and craft performances, educational animal presentations, and admission to an all-you-can-eat dessert station. In addition, guests will receive a souvenir Tanglewood tasting glass upon entry, provided while existing supplies last.
One of the primary focal points of the fundraiser is the chance for visitors to meet the center’s avian ambassadors up close. Environmental educators will introduce attendees to these resident birds, sharing detailed background stories about each animal’s unique history, how they arrived at the facility, and what their presence teaches the public about regional avian conservation.
Live musical entertainment will accompany the late-afternoon festivities, setting a welcoming atmosphere across the property. Musician Trevor Clark is scheduled to perform live sets throughout the evening, offering an engaging soundtrack as attendees stroll through the campus, sample refreshments, and participate in the activities.
Alongside the musical performance, the benefit will showcase visual and artisan craft demonstrations. Notable glass artist Jen Kuhn will be present to conduct live flameworking presentations, giving spectators an educational, firsthand look at the intricate techniques and skilled craftsmanship required for custom glassblowing.
Beyond standard admission inclusions, organizers have incorporated multiple interactive fundraising opportunities to help maximize financial support for the center. Guests can try their luck at a dedicated liquor pull and purchase additional raffle entries, while on-site food trucks will offer a variety of meal options for purchase to complement the provided dessert bar.
The event will place a strong emphasis on regional craft beverage producers, featuring selections from an expansive roster of local breweries. Attendees will be able to sample various beer styles from Personal Best Brewing, Wetlands Brewery, Liquid Shoes Brewing, Horseheads Brewing, and REKT Brewing Company & Taphouse.
Wine aficionados will also find a diverse lineup of regional selections represented throughout the evening. Tastings will feature bottles from prominent area producers, including Staggering Unicorn Winery, Little Clover Wine Company, Lakewood Vineyards, and Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, showcasing the depth of the local viticulture sector.
The annual benefit comes at a time of ongoing growth and infrastructure investment for Tanglewood Nature Center. The facility is currently in the process of building a 900-foot suspended walkway, a major structural addition designed to provide visitors with elevated scenic perspectives of the surrounding area while serving as an expanded tourism draw for Chemung County.
Maintaining the sanctuary’s permanent residents represents a core component of the center’s daily expenditures. Tanglewood currently shelters and cares for more than 40 native and exotic animals within its exhibit spaces, relying on donor generosity and community events like Twilight at Tanglewood to meet habitat maintenance and nutritional standards.
In addition to its wildlife exhibits, the organization manages extensive outdoor recreational assets for the general public. Tanglewood maintains more than 10 miles of designated nature trails, offering free and accessible routes for hiking, wildlife observation, and physical wellness across the Elmira area.
The nature center also operates as a major educational resource, delivering targeted environmental education programs for both children and adults. These instructional offerings are designed to promote environmental stewardship, foster scientific curiosity, and instill a deeper understanding of regional ecology.
Attracting more than 35,000 visitors annually, the nonprofit organization remains dedicated to its overarching mission of regional environmental education and conservation. Through its public outreach, Tanglewood works to elevate community awareness, understanding, and long-term appreciation of the surrounding natural world.
Community members seeking more information regarding the Twilight at Tanglewood fundraiser, ticket reservations, or general programming details are encouraged to consult the nature center’s official online portal at tanglewoodnaturecenter.com.
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