Fiber Festivals: Fun and Educational
What is a fiber festival you may ask. A fiber festival is a wholesome, fun event for the entire family that seeks to educate and entertain, while also highlighting the beauty of an industry in which few may be aware exists. The presentation of fiber-producing animals, such as sheep, and their products allows the public to develop their interest and skills in these areas.
There are many fiber festivals held every year throughout the United States. My favorites are the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival held at the Howard County Fairgrounds the first weekend in May (largest on east coast) and the Montpelier Fall Fiber Festival in Virginia which is held the first weekend in October. There is so much to see and do at these fiber festivals: Learning about many different breeds of sheep, interacting with the lambs, watching someone card and spin wool, observing the skill and discipline involved in the sheep dog trials, taking a class on knitting or felting, and appreciating the beauty of these animals as well as the many lovely products derived from their fiber to name a few!
Of course, sheep aren’t the only animals present; there are also alpacas, goats, and rabbits. And, there are the sheep dog trials, which are very exciting to watch: a shepherd and border collie work together to maneuver a small group of sheep into a corral, which is a lot more difficult than one may think.
Here’s the thing: If being outside in the fresh air, learning about new things, and developing a respect and appreciation for the animals that produce the clothing you may wear sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday, then check-out a fiber festival near you this year. EWE will be glad of it!
Categories: Family, Reflections on Farm Life, Sheep Keeping
fourth generation farmgirl 
Looks like fun. I bought my daughter a book last year written by a woman who raises sheep and then makes yarn out of the wool. The book is about the whole process she goes through making the yarn and dying it different colors. My daughter likes to knit.
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Sounds like an interesting book. I knit some, too. However, not with yarn from my sheep; I’ve tried, but their wool is much too course–kind of like twine. Instead, I use it to tie-up my tomatoes. 🙂
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So are your sheep raised for meat instead of wool?
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The breed of sheep that I have is known for the quality if their meat. This is partially due to the limited amount of lanolin they produce; their meat isn’t greasy. However, the lack of lanolin creates a course wool that’s not nice for knitting sweaters. Scottish Blackface sheep wool is used in Harris Tweed. Also, we don’t eat our sheep as our farm is a hobby farm. Our sheep all have names. 🙂
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Interesting about the lanolin. I did not know that would make the meat greasy. I used to use lanolin as a moisturizer. Do you show your sheep at the festivals?
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No, we don’t. However, the farm where we bought our sheep shows their ewes and have placed in Maryland.
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This looks like fun. I love watching border collies work.
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I do, too. Border collies are such beautiful, agile, & intelligent animals!
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there is an Irish Fest every year in St. Paul and they always do a sheep herding demonstration. the problem is lil’ kids will at times want to chase the sheep. I’m not quite sure at times who the border collie is herding: the sheep or a couple 4 year olds.
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Probably both! 🙂
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Actually I was thinking that the collie was prolly thinking “Doggone kid!!!”
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That does sound like a really fun outing. I would love to go one day! 😊
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We’ll have to plan it! 🙂
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I’ve always liked fiber fests. I’ve obky been to small ones attached to livestock shows, but as a llama and alpaca owner, I always find them interesting.
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Thanks for reading my post. Have you used the fiber from your alpacas?
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The fibre fest looks really good, I like the fact that they are educational too. Especially learning about the wool, and being able to knit with some of it too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks for your comment. I think these festivals are a good idea. Like the farm-to-table concept, it’s an opportunity for folks to connect a product to its origin & hopefully gain a better understanding & appreciation for it. 🙂
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Yes, I agree; such a great idea.
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Reblogged this on fourth generation farmgirl and commented:
For those of you who live in Virginia, the Fall Fiber Festival at Montpelier is coming up in a couple of weeks–the first weekend in October. It’s a great way to spend a day with your family.
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Very cool sounding!!
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Thanks. There may be something similar in your area.
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