Save the Date! Thursday August 6, 2009

Time: 5:00 PM (Pre-picnic field trips will begin around 3:00 PM.)

Place: Chippewa Run Natural Area in Empire

Cost: Adults and children 12 and over: $30 (after August 3rd, $35 each). Child price is $5 or $10, depending on the type of meal you choose.

Download Picnic Flier

The Leelanau Conservancy will hold its Annual Friends Picnic and Auction Thursday, August 6 at the Chippewa Run Natural Area in Empire. Visitors will dine in the midst of this beautiful 110-acre natural area and enjoy stunning views from the picnic tent. The picnic will begin at 5 p.m.

“We’re excited to be putting on another great picnic,” says Communications Director Carolyn Faught. “This is a time for people who care about Leelanau County to come together and meet one another and support a great cause. Everyone is welcome.” Last year, about 750 attended the event.

This year’s Picnic will feature a live auction, with 8 offerings, including a dinner, wine tasting and cooking class for 12 with Mario Batali featuring local foods. Other items include a long weekend at a Manhattan penthouse; a day of birding and barbeque with retired TV weatherman Dave Barrons, a sunset fishboil for 8 at Blu, a week’s stay in summer 2010 at a beautiful Omena Point cottage and much more. Bidding online on over 140 items is now in progress at www.theconservancy.com. Proxy bidding is also available for those who cannot attend the picnic.

Prior to the picnic there will be seven field trips offered beginning at 3 p.m. Options include a bioblitz for all ages at Chippewa Run, a hike to kettle holes and a paddle on South Bar. At the event there will also be a Children’s Tent with activities for ages 3 to 12. The Village Jazz Trio will provide entertainment.

The evening begins with local wines and appetizers created by Leelanau chefs including Epicure Catering, Good Harbor Grill, Hansen’s, Sisson’s, Kejara’s Bridge, Corky’s Beach Bistro, Cherry Bay Orchards, Sleepy Bear Orchards and the Bluebird that feature fresh local produce. A catered dinner using more local foods follows. After dinner comes a short program announcing the Conservancy’s Volunteer and Business Partner of the Year.

The cost of the Picnic is $30 for adults and children 12 and older. For children under 12, parents can choose from kid-friendly "Kids Tent" food via PB & J, snacks and juice ($5) or can purchase a regular food ticket for kids who have a more sophisticated palate ($10.) The deadline to register is Monday, August 3th. After that, the adult price goes up to $35. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information and to register, call 256-9665 or visit www.theconservancy.com.

The Conservancy thanks underwriters Merrill Lynch, Baird, Northwestern Bank, Plante Moran Financial Advisors, EMU Foundation, Venture Properties, Cherry Capital Foods, Huntington, Gallagher’s Farm Market, Northport Highlands and Sterling Law Offices, and Olson, Bzdok and Howard law offices