Family Sheep and Wool Weekend 2024

Celebrate all things sheep and wool with a weekend of family fun on Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26, 10:00AM – 5:00PM!

It’s time to gather the flock and “herd” on down to the picturesque pastures of Billings Farm & Museum. See live demonstrations and experience the processes that transform raw wool to beautiful fiber products. 

From fleece to fiber wonders, visitors of all ages will follow the steps of wool processing and collect stamps on their Sheep-to-Yarn Passport along the way. Guests will be guided through interactive stations, from cleaning fleeces at the Skirting and Washing Stations to aligning fibers at the Carding Station. A colorful display of dyed skeins of yarn will showcase the final transformation of raw wool.

Inside the Historic Events Barn, visitors can explore the creative possibilities of fiber arts.  Aker Fiber Farm’s Patty Williams will offer drop spindle and wheel spinning demonstrations, with an opportunity for guests to try their hand at the craft.  An array of fiber arts demonstrations will include felting, knitting, crocheting, and weaving on a loom, and guests will have the chance to make a woolen bracelet to take home. Additionally, the thought-provoking “Portraits of Resilience: Farming in a Changing Climate” exhibition will showcase what farmers in the local area are doing to address climate change.

The timeless art of sheep herding will be highlighted by Morse Brook Farm’s Shepherdess Liz Shaw and her team of Border Collies, alongside their flock of sheep.  Guests will learn about the role that dogs play on the farm and watch them expertly work the sheep in live herding demonstrations at 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM.

As guests explore the site, they can take in the boldly painted patterns of our Barn Quilt Exhibition that adorn our historic barns and buildings. Local sheep’s milk cheeses from Fat Sheep VT will be available to sample on Saturday and guests can visit the Green Mountain Girls Farm Stand for delicious farm-fresh food available for purchase throughout the weekend.  Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy learning how to make sheep’s milk ricotta in the Learning Kitchen at 12:00PM and 2:00PM.  Plus, there will be Story Time with a Sheep at 10:30AM and Sheep Education Programs at 2:30PM and 4:00PM.

The Woodstock Pizza Chef will be serving up slices for purchase throughout the weekend and guests can enjoy a sweet treat of Vermont-made ice cream or savory snacks from the Farmhouse Scoop Shop, open 10:00AM – 5:00PM.  Don’t forget to swing by the Museum Gift Shop for the cutest lamb stuffies and a selection of wool-inspired crafts and gifts.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

10:30AM  Story Time with a Sheep 

11AM, 1PM & 3PM  Border Collie Herding Demonstrations 

12PM & 2PM  Ricotta Cheese Making Class

2:30PM & 4:00PM  Sheep Education Programs

Members enjoy free admission to this event and all year long! Not yet a member? Join today! billingsfarm.org/join/

Purchase advance tickets online to expedite the check-in process.