The beloved Sheep to Shawl festival hosted by Williamstown Rural Lands returns to Sheep Hill on May 7 after a two-year hiatus.
This celebration of all things sheep and wool features the farmers and artisans who carry on the related New England traditions and practices, sharing their own innovations. The annual Festival also promotes artisan hand crafts and practices more broadly related to agriculture and rural living.
Save the date, Saturday, May 7, to visit us at Sheep Hill on Route 7 in Williamstown. You will be treated to sheep herding on the hill, sheep shearing by the barn, and spinning and weaving demonstrations in the historic house that serves as the WRL headquarters. Local farmers and artisans will share their food and crafts related to rural heritage. Games, raffles, and craft making will keep you busy.
Sheep were an important resource in New England beginning with colonial settlers who raised them for meat and fiber. Most of the mills along our local rivers began as woolen mills where fleeces were carded and spun. Sheep Hill is so named for the sheep that grazed here throughout the 19th century.
The WRL is pleased to help further the traditions of wool craft and sheep raising, and many other rural living practices, in a truly appropriate setting through this spring-time festival.
Tickets for Sheep to Shawl are $5 individual /$10 family for members, and $6/$12 for non-members. Visitors who arrive by bicycle get in free! Also admission is free for those purchasing a new WRL membership at the gate! All are welcome to enter their admission tickets in a Sheep to Shawl raffle for a ‘locally produced’ prize basket. Proceeds from the Sheep to Shawl festival support Williamstown Rural Lands and its public programming.
Interested in helping out? Email programs@rurallands.org to learn more. (Free admission, lunch, and raffle ticket for all volunteers!)
