Celebration for the Turkeys

event

Watkins Glen Celebration for the Turkeys

Saturday, November 4th 12:00 p.m. ET
Watkins Glen, NY

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Watkins Glen

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This fall, gather for our time-honored tradition, Celebration for the Turkeys. On November 4, we’ll express gratitude for each other and all living beings — but turkeys especially!

Thanksgiving season is supposed to be about gratitude, but the factory farming industry has co-opted it to promote the consumption of turkeys who’ve suffered tortured lives on industrial farms. Nearly 46 million turkeys will be killed in the U.S. this Thanksgiving alone.

Rather than supporting this cruel system, please join us for our compassionate holiday celebration!

Attendees will savor a Saturday of community connection with human and non-human animals, complete with a festive meal for our feathered friends.

Whether you will be a returning regular or visiting for the first time, Celebration for the Turkeys is a heartwarming event to experience Farm Sanctuary. In our care, turkeys and other animal agriculture survivors live free from harm. Their rescue stories and personalities change hearts and minds and help us create a more just and compassionate food system.

All humans welcome! Stay tuned for more details.

Program Schedule

  • 11:30 a.m: Event Registration, Guest Arrivals
  • 12:00 p.m.: Vegan Charcuterie Board and Buffet Brunch provided by Treeline Cheese, Parlor City Vegan, and Farm Sanctuary’s Chef Gail Patak
  • 1:00 p.m.: Virtual Feeding of the Turkey’s Ceremony
  • 1:15 p.m.: Speaker Presentations and Q&A by Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s President & Co-founder, and Ellen O’Connell, Farm Sanctuary’s CEO
  • 2:00 p.m.: Open Sanctuary Time Begins
  • 3:45 p.m.: Pig Pumpkin Party
  • 4:00 p.m.: Open Sanctuary Time Ends, Dessert Reception
  • 4:15 p.m.: President and Co-founder Gene Baur, Book Signing
  • 5:00 p.m.: Event Concludes and Shop Closes

Special Guests

Gene and Safran as a calf

Gene Baur

President and Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary

CEO Ellen O'Connell with sheep at Farm Sanctuary

Ellen O'Connell

CEO of Farm Sanctuary

Thank You to our Event Sponsor:

Beyond Meat logo

Due to an overwhelming response, we can only accommodate registered guests during the event. We apologize for any inconvenience.

FAQs

The health and safety of our community is top priority. If an event is canceled as a safety precaution due to extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances, no action is required to obtain a refund. We will issue a refund to the original method of payment used at the time of purchase to all event registrants.

Registration fees are refundable up to two weeks prior to the event, minus a $25 processing fee. Within two weeks of the event, no refunds will be issued.

Please contact us at [email protected] to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. For guests who do not arrive on the day of the event, your ticket purchase will be applied as a donation.

For local accommodations, please reach out to one of the following hotels and mention Farm Sanctuary for a special Celebration for the Turkeys rate.

Best Western Hammondsport
8440 NY-54, Hammondsport, NY 14840
(607) 224-4120
Mention Farm Sanctuary for a special discounted rate of $99 per night.
Please note two-night minimum to book.
bestwestern.com

The Blackberry Inn Bed & Breakfast
209 6th Street Watkins Glen, NY 14891
(607) 535-2300
Book online for 10% off. Use code FRMSANC for 10% off. Minimum 2 night stay.
theblackberryinnbb.com

Watkins Motel
212 S. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891
(607) 535-4258
Mention Farm Sanctuary for a special discounted rate of $110 per night.
watkinsmotel.net

Please note that Airbnb and VRBO rentals are currently available but may be limited closer to the event. We strongly encourage guests to book their accommodations early as there may be limited availability.

This event is held mostly outdoors. The weather varies greatly at the sanctuary, so we highly recommend checking the forecast before traveling and packing layered, warm and comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes suitable for strolling the grounds.

Please note that the tour path is not paved. The road through the shelter area is used by farm equipment and is largely composed of compacted dirt and gravel. The path can be slippery when wet and dusty when dry. Short segments of the tour path have a steep grade. While the tour path includes a hardened surface, the connections to the animal enclosures may include grassy areas and uneven terrain.

Please also note that there is limited shade and few areas to sit or rest in animal areas.

Need additional accommodations? We want to make sure all our guests have a meaningful and safe experience and are comfortable during a visit to our sanctuaries! Therefore, we encourage individuals with disabilities to contact us in advance of their visit to set up arrangements for any necessary accommodations. For more information and to make accommodations requests, please email [email protected].

Diseases are easily transmitted on shoes and even tires. If you have visited another sanctuary, farm, or location with chickens, turkeys, ducks or geese in the last 48-72 hours prior to your visit, or live with any of these species as companion birds, we will ask that you postpone your visit to Farm Sanctuary.

Companion animals are not allowed on guided tours or Farm Sanctuary grounds at any time. Please refer to the FAQ on our website for more information on our companion animal policy.

Service animals are not permitted in certain areas of the sanctuary. Please contact us in advance to make arrangements for your visit.

The safety of our guests, team, animal residents, and community is of the utmost importance to us.

This event will be held mostly outdoors on the sanctuary grounds. We monitor CDC guidelines and will provide updated information on masking and other policies closer to the event date.

Please do not attend the event if you have a fever, cough, respiratory illness, or are experiencing any illness or symptoms of illness.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

Farm Sanctuary, a source of education and inspiration for thousands of individuals each year, relies on the dedication of volunteers. We are currently seeking volunteers for both Celebration for the Turkeys events and we would love to have your help!

Volunteers are needed to assist with all aspects of the events: setup, parking, registration, food service, gate assistance, staffing barns, cleanup, and more.

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please email [email protected] with the subject line CFTT Watkins Glen.

Rescued turkeys enjoying a celebratory feast

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