ByTerry Rogers

May 13, 2021 

On May 22, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center plans to thank the community for their support over the past 40 years with a celebration from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The celebration will be held on the mill grounds, located at 15411 Abbott’s Pond Road.

“This was a way we could express our appreciation to the community,” Matt Babbitt, Site Director, said. “Although we will have program and history information available, this event is a concert and celebration, so we just want people to come and have some fun.”

Music will be provided by Hoochie Coochie with food provided by Taco Reho and Bucky’s Barbecue. Babbitt stated that Bucky’s will be offering smoked mushrooms as a vegetarian alternative on their menu. Dogfish Head and Arena’s are sponsors of the event as well. In order to attend the event, Abbott’s Mill is selling pod spaces. A pod that holds six people is $150, a medium pod for four is $120 and a small pod for two is $80. Each adult will also receive a meal and beer voucher while children will receive a meal and soda voucher. Attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

“The pods are similar to what the Freeman Stage and other venues have done,” Babbitt explained. We will mark off 12-foot areas of lawn space, so each group is socially distanced. The entire event is outside and, as long as you are in the pod, you can remove your mask. If you walk around to get food or talk to others, or if you want to walk on the trails, you will need to wear a mask.”

In 2016, Abbott’s Mill celebrated their 35^th anniversary with four large events held throughout the year. With the continuing COVID pandemic, however, they felt that one large event was more appropriate as they could provide the proper social distancing with an outdoor event. All chefs, staff and volunteers will be screened for symptoms and must confirm they have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks. As an added safety measure, we will do temperature checks of this group the night of the event. Employees and waitstaff will be wearing masks for the entire event. Restroom facilities will be available and will be cleaned multiple times and hand sanitizer will be provided at check-in as well as throughout the venue.

Reservations may be made at the Delaware Nature Society website.