Biggest Wolf Fest coming Sept. 27

A kangaroo. A miniature horse. A climbing wall. All at the Endangered Wolf Center?

The Center is always a thrilling place even if you’re just visiting to see the Mexican wolves, red wolves, maned wolves, swift foxes and African painted dogs that live there.

But on Saturday, Sept. 27, those animals will be just a fraction of the excitement.

That’s the date of Wolf Fest 2014, the Endangered Wolf Center’s annual open house. The daylong event – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – is being sponsored by Emerson.

With a theme of conservation, nature and wildlife, this year’s Wolf Fest will be the biggest yet in terms of exhibits.

Conservation Ambassadors, which appeared for the first time last year at Wolf Fest, is returning and will bring a Kangaroo, an alligator and a Harris’s hawk.

The Wolf Fest lineup also features Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddies, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the World Bird Sanctuary with some of its raptors, search dogs, Shaw Nature Reserve, the Missouri Parks Association, Wildlife Rescue Center, the Butterfly House, the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and KidsOutAndAbout.com

In addition to Lobo, the Center’s own mascot, the very popular African painted dog mascot that appeared at last year’s Wolf Fest will again be prowling the grounds. Visitors should plan on taking plenty of photos.

Vendors will include Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, the West County Woodcarvers Club and Ladybug Snow Cones. There will be grilled food, sodas, water and beer available.

Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Admission is just $25 a carload. Reservations aren’t necessary. And please, no pets aren’t allowed.

Wolf Fest is a day of food, drink, music, play and great fun. There will be wolf-related games and other activities for children, including a bounce house and a climbing wall.

Wolf Fest is held at the Endangered Wolf Center, located on the grounds of Washington University’s Tyson Research Center, 6750 Tyson Valley Road, Eureka, Mo., 63025. The Center is off Interstate 44′s Exit 269 (Beaumont-Antire Road Exit) on the north side of the highway.

For information and news updates on Wolf Fest call 636-938-5900, visit the Center’s website at www.endangeredwolfcenter.org or follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter.

Y+”A