Fiber Femmes Festival Review

Maryland Sheep and Wool

Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland

May 5 & 6, 2007

Article by Sandra Bennett

Usually we review fiber festivals *after* they are held but we're changing things with this issue of Fiber Femmes. If anyone would like to review their favorite fiber festival, in the issue preceding the festival, let us know.

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is the "Granddaddy" of them all. In existence since 1973, this year's festival, on May 5th and 6th is the thirty-fourth festival to celebrate sheep, wool and all things fiber. The MSWF is always held the first full weekend in May and has grown from a sleepy little event to a full blown celebration with people traveling from all over the globe to attend.

The idea, when first begun, was to have an alternative avenue for shepherds to sell fleeces to spinners. At that time, the Wool Pool was (and continues to be for some) the major source of income for the sale of fleeces. Unfortunately (to my mind) the Wool Pool lumps fleeces of all breeds together and pays one set fee. The fee paid last year was approximately forty cents a pound; not, you'll agree, a decent price for all but the poorest of fleeces. Maryland sheep breeders decided to hold a festival where breeders could sell their fleeces and to allow craft booths where spinners and weavers could sell their hand crafted items.

The first festival was held at the Agriculture Center in Westminster, MD in Carroll County. Within a few years, it was moved to Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD where it happily resides.

The MSWF is a work of dedicated volunteers who work untold hours to tirelessly promote all aspects of sheep, wool and related products. Education plays a key role and a lot of the workshops are free and open to the public. Admittance to the festival and parking are also free.

The MSWF website for a listing of classes ranging from shepherding, felting, knitting, spinning, weaving and more including paid and free. If you want to learn how to shear a sheep, there's even a class for you! The auctions aren't to be missed either...fleeces, shepherding equipment and fiber equipment all at excellent prices. The Sheep to Shawl Competition earns a lot of interest with groups weighing in from all over the country and the shawls are auctioned off at day's end. People show their sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and other fiber animals but be forewarned...this year if you're expecting to bring animals you *must* have two things (from the MSWF website):

THE FESTIVAL REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE THESE two documents when you arrive:

1. A 2007 Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or a current (within 30 days) interstate health certificate issued by the state of origin for out of state animals.

2. A "Livestock Exhibitor's Self Certification of Animal Health" must be filled out by the owner/caretaker prior to loading and must be presented upon request to the designated Festival or MDA Animal Health Official. This form can be found either on the reverse side of the 2007 MDA Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or at the MDA website.

ANIMALS FAILING TO MEET HEALTH REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DENIED ENTRY OR BE REMOVED FROM THE FESTIVAL.

Questions regarding animal health requirements for Maryland Fairs and Shows should be directed to the MDA Regional Animal Health Office, College Park, Maryland 301-334-2185.

Get there early; competition is stiff for good parking spaces. If possible, pack some water, wear comfortable shoes and clothes (MSWF is held at a county fair grounds), a hat, perhaps a vest with lots of pockets and take a large carrying bag. Purchases add up quickly and it's easier to carry one large bag than several small ones.

If you're interested in tee shirts, aprons, hats, or other Festival souvenirs, go directly to the souvenir tent. There's usually a long line and it's easier to get it over with than wait twice or three times as long later. Festival food features lamb and seating is usually on the grass so make sure your clothes are easy care. All vendors take cash, and most take checks and credit cards as well.

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is fantastic and a not to be missed experience. Planning carefully ensures you'll have a top flight experience that you will want to repeat in years to come.

Please visit the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival website, for classes, teachers, vendors and other information.

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Sandra is Shepherdess and Farmer at Thistle Cove Farm in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of southwest VA. She raises and breeds rare, hypoallergenic American Curly horses, Shetland, Romney, Merino and cross bred sheep. Appalachian Wool Works where Happy Sheep Make Beautiful Wool is Thistle Cove Farm's own line of specialty blended yarns and handcrafted woolens.

Sandra teaches in the areas of Agri-Tourism, -Education, -Tainment, -Culture and Rural Tourism Development. Her most popular workshops include How To Increase Farm Income and helps others increase farm income using non-traditional methods. For more information about farm products or her teaching schedule, please contact her at Thistle Cove Farm or thistlecovefarm.gmail or 276-988-4121. Sandra blogs at Thistle Cove Farm and is co-editor of Fiber Femmes.