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- Little shepherd
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- Sheep herding demonstration.
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- Bob May with his granddaughters and blue ribbon Jacob ram.
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- Beautiful colored skeins of yarn.
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- Pee Wee showmanship.
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- Youth Shepherd’s lead winners
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- Sothdown Baby Doll Sheep.
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- Handsome Hampshire sheep watching the show.
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- Shetland ram lamb bringing home the blue ribbon.
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- Talyor May and her Jacob lamb.
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- Jacob Sheep line up.
We held our 17th Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep & Fiber Festival in Ringoes, NJ on September 10&11. Despite the rain and flooding attendance was good. Our festival is gaining in popularity with the fiber crowd as a nice alternative to the bigger festivals.
There is something for everyone, especially for the kids. We started a kids corner where they can have their faces painted, learn to knit and weave. They also have a hay maze and a puppet show which the kids actively participate .
Our competitions are growing each year. Last year we started our breeds displays featuring their animals, products made from their wool and general information on raising sheep. This year’s winner was Toni Keller’s with her Cheviot breeds display. The fleece, Shepherd’s Lead and Photo contests were also well attended.
We had over 250 sheep entered in the sheep shows. The Gotland Breed held their first National show in the US. The Jacob Sheep Breeders also held the Northeast show with over 65 Jacob sheep in attendance. My favorite is the Pew Wee classes for kids under 8 yrs old.
I was very impressed by the high quality vendors who attend our show. I bought some handmade cermaic buttons for my new sweater and I purchased another drop spindle to add to my collection.
Until next year see you at the 18th GSSB Sheep & Fiber Festival September 8&9, 2012.