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Friends of Hormel Nature Center hosting free, annual event Dec. 10

 

Santa Claus naturally will be the top attraction next week at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the third annual Merry & Bright Night will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the nature center’s interpretive center, 1304 21st St. N.E., as a free, all-ages event led by the nonprofit Friends of the Hormel Nature Center’s board and nature center staff. Thanks to the Austin Entertainment Group (AEG), the entrance again will have a large, inflatable Santa arching over it.

“Our Friends board has really enjoyed offering Merry & Bright to the community – lots of smiling children and families enjoying a very festive atmosphere,” said Mike Skiba, president of the Friends board. “We look forward to this every year.”

Started in 1988, the nonprofit Friends of the Hormel Nature Center’s mission is to enhance and encourage environmental education, scientific opportunities and the enjoyment of nature at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

At Merry & Bright, Santa will greet children by the fireplace in the holiday-themed interpretive center. Cookies and hot cocoa also will be served in the classroom area, where Austin High’s Austinaires choral group will perform from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Local musician Spencer Thury will perform holiday songs throughout the evening.  

Sweet Reads bookstore owner Lisa Deyo will read Christmas stories to visitors in the cozy, rustic log cabin heated by a wood-burning stove just a short walk from the interpretive center.  

A crafts area again will be offered in the back of the interpretive center, where attendees can make pine cone bird feeders that use sunflower butter donated by the SunButter company. The exhibits area also will be open. 

Merry & Bright is one of the community events the Friends help organize and support during the year at the nature center along with the Dammen Family Fun Day in the summer and 8K run/walk in the fall. 

Plenty of Christmas gift ideas – ranging from hardcover books to water bottles to coffee mugs – will be available for purchase during Merry & Bright, including items featuring the new logos of the nature center and Friends organization. 

Friends of the Hormel Nature Center will have a table to sign up people as supporting Friends members. 

For more information, visit the nature center’s website at www.hormelnaturecenter.org/friends or follow the Facebook pages for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center.