Upcoming events

UPCOMING

Family-friendly events return in 2021

Oakwood Resort

Members enjoy Busch Gardens, while anticipating Family Days and the Oakwood Resort and Safari to Kalahari Getaways.

After a year-long break from Society gatherings, Gleaner members were able to again enjoy a family excursion and are looking forward to more!

On March 6, a total of 90 people used Gleaner discounts to visit Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. The turnout was better than expected following a year of pandemic developments. “First, the price we got to go in was super fantastic," Gulf Coast Arbor’s Ivelisse Rivera said of the $35 tickets for admission, which normally are about $90. “The ability for each member to purchase eight tickets was great.” Members split up into small groups to enjoy the rollercoasters, animals, gardens, and other attractions. Guests also received a meal voucher so they could choose the best food option for them. “I think what made this great was that this was a theme park and everyone was free to do whatever they wanted,” Rivera added. Some families had small and teenage kids, “so that was good for them. There was a little something for everyone."

Several more opportunities are coming up soon. Registration is open now for all of them!

Next up June 11-13 is the Oakwood Resort Getaway at Indiana’s premier waterfront resort. A family favorite since 1893 on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana, the resort has luxurious rooms and lots to do on 27 acres. Guests can enjoy free kayak, paddle board and bicycle rentals. The resort has a 1-mile bike route, paved paths for walking or jogging, as well as hiking trails. The resort also features a gift shop, restaurant and bar, fi tness center and other amenities. Gleaner members enjoy the discounted rate of $179 per night plus tax for a standard room, or $209 per night plus tax for a deluxe suite. Call Oakwood Resort at 574.457.7100 to register. Use “Gleaner Life Group" for the discount when calling.

Our most popular member get-away is the annual Safari to Kalahari, which is taking place Aug. 2729. The resort in Sandusky, Ohio, is a summer favorite for both its water park as well as Africanthemed amenities. Gleaner packages start at $185 per night (with a two-night minimum stay), which includes four water park passes. Options include a Hut room (2 queen beds with a patio or balcony) or a Desert room (2 queen beds with a full-size sleeper sofa). Other room types may be also be available.

Due to social distancing concerns, two of this year’s Family Day events — the Chicago Riverboat Cruise in July and the Michigan Fall Foliage Railroad Tour — have been canceled. Two outdoor Family Day events are still planned where social distancing can be maintained.

The extremely popular Cedar Point outing is Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Sandusky, Ohio. The package includes admission to the amusement park as well as access to the beach along Lake Erie, parking, and a meal voucher. In addition to being named “Best Amusement Park in the World,” it is the second-oldest amusement park in America.

This year marks Cedar Point’s 150th anniversary, celebrated with several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and a parade each night with illuminated fl oats, dancing, and pyrotechnics. Family Day tickets are $25 each. Children ages 2 and younger are admitted free. The registration deadline is June 12. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is the concluding Family Day event, scheduled Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The zoo is ranked seventh-best in the U.S. by Trip Advisor. It contains more than 1,000 animals on 38 acres. Specialized areas include the Australian Adventure and the African Journey. Visitors can see aquatic creatures such as sharks and rays as well as lions and Tasmanian devils. Tickets are $15 each. In addition to admission, each ticket includes parking and a complimentary meal voucher. Children up to age 1 are admitted free. The registration deadline is July 17.

Of course, 2021’s big event will be the 60th Biennial Convention at the Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana. Find more details about that event on pages 4-5 of this issue of Forum. We hope you can join us for this milestone reunion. Visit www.gleanerlife.org/member-events for details.