Saturday- Sunday, Oct. 5-6 — TUNBRIDGE— The 36th Annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival arrives this weekend, Oct. 5-6 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds. Admission to the Festival is $8 a day, $5 for children under 12 years; toddlers are free. The Festival enjoys a classic setting amidst the Vermont hills at the peak of Fall Foliage. Hours Saturday are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday it’s 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This year’s Festival celebrates the International Year of Camelids. Visit the llamas and alpacas, view the camelid fiber contest entries, and learn more about camelids through talksand demos.
Central to the Festival is a marketplace of vendors, including farmers and artisans, offering fiber for hand spinning and felting, yarn, patterns, needles & hooks, buttons, books, and dyes. Also on offer will be a wide variety of equipment and supplies for spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, and other fiber arts. Handcrafted garments, accessories, household items, pottery, jewelry, baskets, soaps, and other handmade and farm-raised products will be available. The Fleece Show & Sale will highlight top-quality fleeces from a variety of animals. Licensed local farm producers will feature meat, cheese, and more.
The Animal Barn includes sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and angora rabbits, which provides an excellent opportunity to talk directly to producers about raising fiber animals.
Fiber classes begin Thursday, October 3, at the Tunbridge Town Hall and include spinning, felting, weaving, and more.
For those interested in showing off their fiber arts skills, this year’s contests will offer a chance to compete for ribbons and prizes. Contest rules and entry forms are available at vtsheepandwoolfest.org.
Various workshops and demos allow vendors, farmers, and fiber artists to share their knowledge and skills.
Music by Royalton Community Radio will provide a background rhythm as visitors wander from building to building and visit outdoor demonstrations including the popular Border Collie herding demos with Jim and Ian McRae.
Food vendors will offer local food featuring everything from lamb, pizza, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts to the best maple creemees.
Come support local and regional farmers and artisans at the 35th Annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival.
For more info, visit: vtsheepandwoolfest.org.
