Don't Miss the Fall Events at WSC this October!

For Immediate Release:

Don't Miss the Fall Events at WSC this October!

Stacy, MN September 20, 2022 – The Wildlife Science Center is excited to announce our slate of fall events for 2022. We’re kicking off October on the 1st with our annual Harvest Howl, a celebration of autumn designed to be fun for the entire family. Beginning on October 16th, join us all week long as we acknowledge Wolf Awareness Week with a slat of on-site and virtual events. The Oktoberfest on October 22nd will feature fall brews from Bent Brewstillery, themed activities, and a performance by the band Old Desert Road. Finally, we’ll send the month out with a “boo!” at our Howl-O-Ween. Kids and adults alike are invited to come in costume to paint pumpkins, collect candy, and take part in a scavenger hunt, all while being surrounded by cougars and bears and wolves--OH MY! Find out more about each event below:


HARVEST HOWL - October 1st, 11 am - 4 pm

Come join the wolves, raptors, bears, cougars and other Wildlife Science Center animals on Saturday October 1, 2022 from 11AM to 4PM. Our annual Harvest Howl event is designed to be fun for the entire family.

  • Enjoy educational demonstrations and presentations including:

    • Remarkable Reptiles

    • Raptors of Minnesota

    • Native American Dancing

    • Purebred Working Dogs

  • Local artisans and vendors will selling their wares

  • PJ’s Grill food truck will be serving delicious food

  • Bent Brewstillery will be providing beverages

Harvest Howl Event Details

Saturday, October 1, 2021 11:00 AM 4:00 PM Wildlife Science Center

Cost: Adults - $15.00 | Kids - $10.00 | Kids 4 years old and under are free! Dogs on a leash are welcome. Get Tickets

All event proceeds benefit the Wildlife Science Center. Have fun and help fund raise for a great cause! Tickets can be purchased online or at the door (credit card or cash). If paying in cash we will not be able to make change, please bring exact change, or consider donating the few extra dollars! We apologize for any inconvenience.

Confirmed vendors include:

  • PJ’s Grill: Food truck offering a variety of grilled fare.

  • Bent Brewstillery: Industrial brewstillery featuring housemade draft brews & spirits.

  • All Tyed Up CreaXions: Ceramic tile coasters with vinyl decals on them, fleece dog blankets with crochet border, and fleece dog toys

  • Cheryl's Art Photography: A Minnesotan nature and wildlife photographer capturing a wide range of animals, birds, insects, scenery, astrophotography, Minnesota landmarks, and more. Prints available in a variety of sizes and media including canvas, metal, acrylic, and photo paper. Other items are also available such as puzzles, magnets, books, and greeting cards.

  • Color Street: 100% nail polish strips that you put on. Take them off with regular nail polish remover. No vinyl. No heat. Healthy for your nails. They will last about 10-14 days. There are tons of colors, designs, and even a French line.

  • Craft Jewelry by Megan: Homemade jewelry made out of clay, beads, and resin.

  • Fleece Creations By Diane: Handmade fleece scarves and vests, animal themed.

  • Lost Dogs Minnesota: An all volunteer group committed to reuniting families with their lost dogs. This service is provided free to dog families, shelters/rescues, and animal control professionals.

  • Metta Coffee: Serving up hot, locally roasted coffee and hot chocolate.

  • Neeter's Pet Sitting, LLC: Providing pet care services, with a mission to make sure that all pets are well cared for. Provided services include: Kennel-free boarding for cats and dogs, Drop-in visits for all pet, Dog walking.

  • Northwoods Humane Society: Striving to improve the lives of homeless animals by providing compassionate care until permanent loving homes can be found.

  • Kaz Kraft's: Canned jams, pickles, salsa and sauces as well as baked goods and soaps and woodworking bowls.

  • Renewal by Andersen: Full-service window & door replacements

  • Riverrun Acreage LLC: Pet accessories. Collars, leashes, bows, harnesses, bandanas, dresses and coats.

  • Six Paca Acres: Handmade Alpaca items - hats, scarves, rugs, trivets, wall hangings, gloves/mittens and homemade jam.

  • stewARTdezigns: Paintings, photo coasters, key rings and cards

  • Telli’s Jelli’s: Minnesota made jam and jelly, along with smoked salsa!

  • United Doberman Rescue and Canine Castaways of Minnesota: A non-profit animal rescue helping Dobermans, Doberman mixes, and other breeds to find permanent, loving, forever homes through our adoption program. UDR helps dogs locally and also more broadly across the United States as we are able to. We are a foster-based rescue with foster homes located all over Minnesota and surrounding states.

  • Wanderlusting Baubles: Tumblers, pins and blind date with a book!

  • Working Dog Pack: Presenting a variety of dog breeds, information, and resources.


WOLF AWARENESS WEEK - October 16th - 22nd

Join Minnesota's largest wolf pack for Wolf Awareness Week (October 16-22). Activities are virtual and/or live and on-site.

VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES:
October 16th - Artwork contest: Post your best wolf painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. There are two categories; children through age 12, and adults. Be sure to note which age category you are entering in when you make your submission. Winners from each category will get one free admission to the Wildlife Science Center (WSC).
October 17th - Howling contest: Post a video of your best howl. We will play them back to the wolves and whomever elicits the most robust response will win one free admission to WSC.
October 17th @ 9:30 am - Livestream: Join WSC staff on our Facebook page for an informal "chat" with Queen MJ and her pack
October 20th - Create a meme contest: Choose from three photos of wolves posted by WSC in our meme contest Facebook post. Whomever then creates the most memorable/appropriate meme with one of those photos wins one free admission to WSC.

All contest submissions are due by October 21st, and we will announce the winners on October 24th.
In order to submit an entry, simply add it as a comment below the original contest post on WSC’s
Facebook page. When commenting with your entry photo or video, tag both the Wildlife Science Center and #WolfAwarenessWeek

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES:
October 18, 19th and 22nd - "Where's the Wolf?": WSC will have a stuffed wolf hidden around the grounds of WSC. Visitors will enter via registering on paper. If you find the wolf, simply write down the location you saw the wolf and submit it to staff. You will be entered into a raffle for WSC merchandise, which will take place each day at the end of open hours (10 am - 12 pm on 10/18 and 10/19, 11 am to 2 pm on 10/22).
October 18, 19th and 22nd - Wolf Awareness Week poster giveaway: WSC is proud to be a sponsor on this year’s Wolf Awareness Week poster, and will be giving them away to visitors during open hours (10 am - 12 pm on 10/18 and 10/19, 11 am to 2 pm on 10/22)
October 18th @ 11 am - Wolf feeding, diet and hunting presentation: Bob the Education Director will give a short presentation about wolf hunting strategies, prey choices and the relationship between wolves and their prey. Visitors will be given the opportunity to observe wolves feeding on a road-killed deer.
October 19th @ 11 am - Wolf howling lesson: Staff will give visitors a brief presentation on the role howling plays in wolf natural history. Then we will give visitors a brief "how to" lesson on howling.
October 22nd @ 1 pm - Endangered wolves presentation: Enjoy a presentation on red wolves and Mexican gray wolves by Bob the Education Director. Your kids can color a red wolf or a Mexican gray wolf, and make a simple craft.


OKTOBERFEST - October 22nd, 3 pm - 7 pm

Fall has arrived, and that means it's time for WSC's annual Oktoberfest celebration! Join us on October 22nd from 3 pm - 7 pm, see the wolves against the backdrop of falling leaves, try your hand at Hammerschlagen, challenge your friends to a game of corn hole, sip brews from Bent Brewstillery while munching on the irresistible eats from Burnt Chicken. This year, we’re thrilled to have the band Old Desert Road joining us for a jam session from 4 pm - 6:30 pm! The bears will still be awake, so don't miss a chance to see our chunky bruins before they hit the sack for winter. Remember to bring your dog(s) and a friend or two and come on out for the fun! 

Old Desert Road is an indie/folk-rock band out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. The band is fronted by the expressive Rob Phillips, who is the lead singer/song writer and rhythm guitar player. Jennifer Gill adds tender and compelling backing vocals, and violin. Later years brought John Schwarzkopf on Bass, Robb Lauer on Drums and Jeff Kruse on the Lead Guitar.

Oktoberfest Event Details

Saturday, October 22, 2022 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wildlife Science Center

Cost: Adults - $15.00 | Kids - $10.00 | Kids 4 years old and under are free! Dogs on a leash are welcome. Get Tickets

All event proceeds benefit the Wildlife Science Center. Have fun and help fund raise for a great cause! Tickets can be purchased online or at the door (credit card or cash). If paying in cash we will not be able to make change, please bring exact change, or consider donating the few extra dollars! We apologize for any inconvenience.


HOWL-O-WEEN - October 29th, 11 am - 4 pm

It's that time of year again when ghosts visit the wolves at the Wildlife Science Center! Join us on October 29th from 11AM - 4PM for our annual Howl-O-Ween celebration! Come in costume to trick the animals! We also encourage grown ups to dress up and bring the family dog(s) in costume too! Kids can paint pumpkins, collect candy, and take part in a scavenger hunt, all while being surrounded by cougars and bears and wolves--OH MY! Walk through our haunted house where the kids choose whether or not it's a spooky experience or just a friendly stroll through the cabin. We are so excited to have PJ’s Grill food truck providing food! All proceeds benefit the Wildlife Science Center.

Howl-O-Ween Event Details

Saturday, October 29th, 2021 11:00 AM 4:00 PM Wildlife Science Center

Cost: Adults - $15.00 | Kids - $10.00 | Kids 4 years old and under are free! Dogs on a leash are welcome. Get Tickets

All event proceeds benefit the Wildlife Science Center. Have fun and help fund raise for a great cause! Tickets can be purchased online or at the door (credit card or cash). If paying in cash we will not be able to make change, please bring exact change, or consider donating the few extra dollars! We apologize for any inconvenience.