Nature Center to open pumpkin patch

-- Susan McCormack

The Environmental Nature Center will be holding its free Fall Faire &

Pumpkin Patch this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1601 16th St.,

Newport Beach.

The event also will feature children’s activities, such as gemstone

sifting, making corn husk dolls and tours of the center.

Adults can enjoy a silent auction, craft sales and music by the Sage

Bluegrass Band. Prizes, including a Catalina Island getaway, $500 in gift

certificates to Fashion Island and passes to Edwards movie theaters, will

be raffled off.

Food will be provided by such restaurants as Autobistro, Blue Water

Grill, El Torito, Haute Cakes Caffe, Riverboat Restaurant, SunFlower

Natural Bakery and more.

The fair is the center’s largest annual fund-raiser, said Bo Glover,

executive director, adding that the center has sponsored the event for

more than 20 years.

Last year, more than 2,500 people attended the five-hour fair, which

raised $24,000. Glover said he hopes to raise $30,000 this year.

Proceeds will go toward operations and a fund-raising campaign to help

the center purchase one acre of land adjacent to its site. Each year,

approximately 10,000 schoolchildren from all over Southern California

visit the center, Glover said.

ENC started a campaign called “Save Acres for Nature” in 1988. Of the $1

million needed to purchase the land, the center has raised $700,000,

which includes a $200,000 grant received from The Steele Foundation. The

new land will feature an educational center and library.

For more information, call (949) 645-8489.