Festival Fact Sheet

Media Contact: Julie Mackenzie
Email: julie@greatwool.com
Cell: 612.961.9625
www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org

Festival Highlights

• The United Nations declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibers and Shepherd’s Harvest Festival is an official IYNF event. www.naturalfibres2009.org
   
• A Yurt from Kazakhstan, a demonstration on Peruvian textiles and Nora Murphy discussion her book Knitting the Threads of Time - which brings to life the traditions and cultures of women from many backgrounds, highlight the festival’s international focus.
   
• Over 130 vendors from 12 states participate in the festival offering a full range of products including; yak, sheep, alpaca, rabbit, llama and angora fibers, fleeces, yarns, soaps, spinning wheels, patterns and kits, wool mattresses, rugs, blankets, baskets, and embellishments.
   
• The Fiber Sandwich spinning event entertains and educates while raising money for Heifer International. Donated fibers are spun throughout the festival on Saturday and go on sale to the public on Sunday.
   
• There are over 30 technique classes include spinning, knitting, needle-felting, wet-felting, rug hooking, bead embroidery, dyeing, weaving, and lace making. For shepherd wannabes, there is a free “Starting Your Own Flock” presentation.
   
• Events include a book signing with Nora Murphy, the Natural Fibers Fashion Show, felting demonstrations in the Kazakh yurt, the Alpaca Fleece show, a cooking demo with John Michael Lerma, sheep shearing demonstrations and working stock dogs.
   
• Animals for viewing include a wide variety of goats, rabbits, sheep, llama and alpaca breeds. Visitors can meet with shepherds and purchase animals on the spot.
   
• Contests and competitions include a photography contest, fleece competition, skein competition and felting competition.
   
• Llama Magic runs on the fairgrounds on the same weekend and is a perfect compliment to Shepherd’s Harvest providing a fantastic offering with the focus on llamas and alpaca. http://www.llamamagic.com/. You get two festivals in one!