On Saturday, Dec. 8, Bushy Hill Nature Center, 253 Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton will be transformed into an interactive celebration of learning and holiday cheer. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. visitors are invited to the second annual event at the center, which will include activities for all ages. Bushy Hill Nature Center is a non-profit, so all proceeds will go to further the center, care for the animals on site and environmental maintenance.

“We are very excited about our event this year,” said farm manager Georgia Male. “This is a time for everyone to come together to celebrate the farm, Bushy Hill, and the community. We know that the time before Christmas is a crazy, busy time for families and we want to offer an event that lets everyone come together, take a breath and celebrate family.”

New to the celebration this year is the hay ride around the property, which will include a tour guide who will be pointing out a few of the key ecosystems on the property, including the wood lot and beach area. Another new addition to the gathering will include a wine tasting put on by Staehly Farm Winery of East Haddam. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the wine tasting and take home a Bushy Hill wine glass.

For the younger crowd, there will be cookie decorating, build a marshmallow snowman stations, make your own ornament, a fire by friction demonstration, and a bonfire with hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows. There will also be a raffle, bake sale and food, as well as time to visit with the center’s resident animals, which include three donkeys, six goats, two pigs, 10 chickens, one llama, and two rabbits.

“We are working on transforming the center into a working farm and we hope that this fundraising event will raise at least $500,” said Male. “Last year was the first year we held this celebration and it went great. We raised $300. We are hoping this year goes even better and we raise even more needed funds, but, honestly, its not really about the money, it’s about providing an event that people will come to and enjoy and maybe learn something from.

“If people learn something our environment, then, to me, this event will be a great success,” Male said.

For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/bushyhill. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.