What’s happening: The annual fundraiser event for the Grass River Natural Area, a 1,502-acre nature preserve in Antrim County, is scheduled to take place this Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Shanty Creek’s Cedar River Lodge in nearby Bellaire. An online auction benefiting the nature preserve first opened on Thursday, Aug. 1, and runs through Friday, Aug. 16.
What it is: Riverfest 2024 is presented by the
Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) in partnership with the Pelican Family of Businesses. This year’s event features a strolling dinner; a presentation from GRNA Executive Director Jenn Wright; a live auction; a concert from the Steve Stargardt Trio; and more. An important note is that the cash bar is, in fact, cashless, meaning that Shanty Creek only accepts credit cards.
Tickets for the event are priced at $85
and are available online. In lieu of attending the event, donations are also being accepted online.
Auctions and raffles: In addition to the event itself, a new partnership between GRNA and the Bellaire-based Short’s Brewing Company has launched a raffle awarding one Lifetime Membership to Short’s Brewing Mug Club, an exclusive club that currently has nearly 500 people on its waitlist.
Raffle tickets are
available for $100 online. Only 100 raffle tickets are available for sale and, as of press time, only 20 remain.
An online auction is currently open and will run until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16. Dozens of prize packages are available, including a three-night stay at Shanty Creek’s Trapper’s Condos; one-day boat rental from Elk Rapids Marina; and dozens more.
Visit Riverfest 2024 online to view the auction today.
Why it’s important: “Our role to protect the 1,502-acres that make up the natural area is made possible because of the generosity of our community. Events like
Riverfest provide critical funding to support education, conservation, and future protection of this unique, living laboratory,” says Jenn Wright, GRNA Executive Director.
“In addition to raising funds, Riverfest truly has become a celebration of the positive impact we have on thousands of visitors and program participants each year. From awe of a summer camper who witnesses a monarch emerging from their chrysalis to the family who shares adventure on our boardwalk, to the students whose biological research on the river ensures healthy and clear water for future generations, Grass River Natural Area has something for everyone!”
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