IT’S HERE! FRIDAY 7:30PM - 10:30PM
We are so grateful for the enthusiastic response from the community for this event. Oktoberfest provides critical operating funds that allow FRNC to fulfill our mission to provide environmental education, conservation, and year-round public access to our 47 acres. We look forward to celebrating nature with you on September 29!
As a reminder, if you are unable to attend the event, your tickets/sponsorship will be considered fully tax-deductible donation under the account that completed the transaction (if you bought four tickets, two for you and two for a friend, we cannot issue your friend a tax receipt). There are no refunds if you are unable to attend the event and tickets are not transferrable.
Join us for our annual fundraiser filled with hops, vines, and delicious food!
For the past thirteen years, our community has come together for one special night to celebrate our beloved Rye Nature Center. As the independent nonprofit operating our city’s precious park, Friends of Rye Nature Center (FRNC) is proud to host what has become a favorite annual tradition.
Proceeds from this hopping night underwrite FRNC’s general fund, allowing our education and conservation staff to provide the programs and maintain the park that Rye cherishes. The Center’s 47-acre urban forest is a legacy to all living here and we take our mission seriously.
Invest in the park’s understory. Succession of trees is at a critical moment throughout Rye and especially at the Nature Center. Annually, FRNC plants over 600 plugs, 400 saplings, and 100 shrubs. With the help of 150 volunteers, we remove more than 1,500 tons of invasives to allow natives to flourish.
Enhance your recreational experience. Play structures, trail maps, educational kiosks, and site signage all add to your park visit. Look for upgrades to the playground and trails in late 2023.
Educate your family. From our Forest School programs to speaker events and weekend workshops, FRNC strives to teach our community how to enjoy and care for our natural world.
Keep nature accessible. The cost of coming should not prevent access to learning. Our open grounds and trails let visitors explore and appreciate our beautiful 47 acres, while our mobile, interactive NatureStation brings the joy of nature on the road. Year after year, our outreach initiatives reach more underserved populations, exposing them to environmental education and conservation practices.
Hosting a night like Oktoberfest is only possible because of the early support of our sponsors. As inflation continues to impact the costs of the event, FRNC humbly asks that you consider renewing and/or increasing your 2023 gift. It is our goal to raise $130,000 prior to September 29 through gifts from devoted sponsors like you.
Attached you will find our sponsorship form, which has been updated to include a range of gift sizes to level up our traditional donor designations. Company matching gifts support your leveling up. We hope to have all sponsorships secured by July 31, 2023. If you prefer to discuss your donation to FRNC in person, our Executive Director, Christine Siller, welcomes you to meet her for coffee at the Nature Center this summer. Individual ticket sales will open online on August 1, 2023.
