Shepherd's Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival

Shepherd’s
Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival is Minnesota’s premier event for wool and sheep
lovers, the largest fiber festival in the state.  Patrons can shop over 130 vendors, choose
from up to 35 classes, see over 25 demonstrations and exhibits and get a firsthand
look at a wide variety of sheep breeds. 

2014 Highlights:

·        
Fiber
Animals–Get a firsthand look at a wide variety of sheep breeds, cashmere goats,
dairy goats, rabbits, and a Llama obstacle course.

·        
Fleece Competition –There are a great variety of types of fleece. For judging, they are
placed in different groups according to color, white or natural colored, and
grade, or fiber diameter, into fine, medium or long wools. There will also be a
purebred class for each breed where the fleece is judged according to breed
standards.

·        
Stock Dog
trials-The Trial will be similar to ranch-style, fun obstacle
course that consists of a short outrun, lift and fetch, wearing the sheep
through obstacles, and a pen.  There will
be a course time and all three sheep will need to complete elements for full
points.  The Stock Dog Trial runs begin
at 12:30pm Saturday & Sunday. 

·        
Rabbit Show -A
“living catalog” of fiber-producing rabbits will be on display. These include
English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora, Jersey Woolies, Satin Angora, and
Fuzzy Lop. Visitors will have the opportunity to compare these animals
side-by-side and see the variety of sizes, as well as fiber types.

·        
Fleece Preparation Demonstration – How do you wash that fleece you just bought? Washing
is the first step in preparing your fleece for spinning and Jan will show you
how to do that. Jan teaches fiber classes at the WGM and various locations
throughout the Twin Cities.

·        
Classes, Demonstrations and Exhibits – Over 35 classes to build your skills in fleece
preparation, hand-spinning, natural dyes, felting, weaving, rug-hooking and
more.