SMYRNA – The sixth annual Spirit of the Wolf Festival kicks off Sunday at Wolf Mountain begining at 11 a.m. The event is part of an effort to raise money for the construction of Wolf Woods, a new nine-acre area designed to meet the mounting needs of a thriving wolf pack.

Wolf Mountain has an acute need for a new wolf enclosure as the preserve’s population has increased dramatically in the past four years. A single wolf enclosure is insufficient to mollify the needs of Wolf Mountian’s growing population because the preserve’s three female wolves must be kept separate from one another. Currently, the main pack is comprised of one female and four male wolves, and is housed in a three-acre compound. The remaining three wolves (two females and one male) are divided into two separate and comparatively cramped enclosures.

“Wolf Woods is going to be great. People are going to really get to see the wolves tear around,” said Wolf Mountain Director and resident caretaker Will Pryor.

Last year, people from as far away as South Korea and Japan attended the Spirit of the Wolf Festival. The event’s final head count tallied well over 2,000, said Pryor.

This weekend’s event will feature a variety of musicians such as Norwich’s very own country music sensation Kaitlyn Jackson, who will sing songs from her own album. On top of that, there will be a classic rock cover band and Sherburne-Earlville High School graduate Matt Nakoa’s band will be coming up from New York City to perform.

“We really want to bring families out this weekend,” said Pryor. “One of the goals for us is to help people see what we are doing here as well as find out where we are, so that they can return to see the animals without the crowds and loud noises.”