Wolf Fest 2014, our annual open house on Saturday, Sept. 27, attracted a record crowd for a one-day event here. The daylong event was sponsored by Emerson.

Wolf Fest 2015 will be Oct. 10.

jonHere were some of the 2014 activities and attractions:
• Guests could walk down to the animal enclosures whenever they want where docents and keepers will talk with them about the endangered wolves and other canids that live here.
• Visitors saw and photographed Mexican wolves, red wolves, maned wolves, African painted dogs and swift foxes.
• David Jackson and Conservation Ambassadors returned, with a kangaroo, Harris’ Hawk, alligator.
• For just $10, guests could have their photo taken with David and the exotic species.
• Jonathan Offi and his high-flying agility dogs returned.
• Gateway Search Dogs had shows at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Wolf feeding times were 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Climbing wall.
• Bounce house.
• Kids area, with Lobo’s Bone Toss, puppet-making, puppet show, survival bracelets-making, face-painting.
• Membership opportunities with raffles.
• Meet the Animal keepers, who offered raffles for keeper experiences.
• Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddies, with a miniature horse, llama and barnyard animals.
• Musical group Two Brown Dogs.
• Musical group South City Troubadours.
• Dulcimer player Rick Thum.
• African painted dog mascot, as well as Lobo.
• Missouri Department of Conservation.
• Shaw Nature Reserve.
• Wildlife Rescue Center.
• Saint Louis Zoo.
• The Butterfly House.
• Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary.
• World Bird Sanctuary.
• Kids Out and About.com offered tips on great area places for kids. We’re ranked No. 4 on their Top 20 list for 2014.
• The Celeste Ruwwe Gift Shop was open throughout the day.
• A silent auction was held.
• Missouri Wildflowers Nursery had plants for sale.
• The West County Woodcarvers Club had items for sale.

Wolf Fest is held at the Endangered Wolf Center, which is 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 2015 call 636-938-5900, visit www.endangeredwolfcenter.org , or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.