Every Labor Day Weekend since l979 the tiny town of Bethel, Missouri holds its World Sheep and Fiber Festival.

Bethel was founded in the l840's as one of the Harmonist Colonies which believed in sharing. New Harmony, IN was also one of those colonies. You can still see the old frame tailor shop on main street along with several other restored brick homes and lots of unrestored ones too.

The sheep to shawl event is always held on Sunday at the Festival and this year there were two teams from Illinois that competed for the $200.00 first prize.

They consisted of Team l - Tie-Dyes from the St Clair Fiber Guild whose members were all dressed in 60's hippy tie die outfits. They were Weaver - Gary Olds, spinners/carders Susan Franklin, Beth Clement and Lita Murphy.

Team 2 - the Pioneers, also from the St Clair Fiber Guild, consisted of Weaver - Tim Peterson, Spinners/carders Patti Beaker, Kathy Davis, and Donna Reeves.

As you can see by the photos both shawls were works of art. After a long discussion, the judges awarded the $200 first prize to the shawl woven by the Tie-Dies. The $50 second place went to the Pioneers.

The Sheep to Shawl Committee is hoping for more competition in next year’s contest. If your team is interested in competing, please contact Dr. Helen Swartz, Box 29, Lincoln University, 305 Allen Hall, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029 (573) 681-5540, email swartzh@lincolnu.edu.

If you are looking for a fun Labor Day Weekend with fiber come to Bethel. There are vendors, fiber animals, lots of classes and instructions, two sheep sales and three days of sheepdog trials. For Angora Rabbit fanciers there is a large tent full of these fuzzy bunnies for sale. Come early on Saturday for the best selection. An Angora Rabbit workshop is one of the annual classes held also.

You don’t need to go far for good room accommodations either. Try The Klaus House owned by Mable Harrington where you can rent a room and have your choice of two kitchens to cook meals in (573-633-2265), the newly refurbished l844 Bethel Colony Hotel (660-278-4221), Bethel Bed and Breakfast (660-2846493) or travel a few miles down the road to the Heartland Christian Center and stay at the spacious Lodge (660-284-6371) and enjoy a prime steak at the steakhouse.

The World Sheep and Fiber Festival website is www.worldsheepfest.com or contact Nancy Barnett at nancybarnett_98@yahoo.com for more information. Hope to see you in 2008.