Rules & Regulations

General Regulations

  • All persons enter at their own risk.
  • Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision of all minors.
  • NO PETS. Only service dogs and dogs in the Sheepdog Demonstrations are allowed on the fairgrounds.
  • No drones, except by explicit permission of the Festival.
  • No alcoholic beverages, except for approved vendors.
  • No controlled substances allowed.
  • No illegal or unlawful activity allowed.
  • No demonstrations.
  • No soliciting.
  • No distribution of any printed material/flyers/advertisements, etc.
  • No personal announcements. Please arrange a meeting place before your group separates.
  • Not responsible for lost articles.
  • There will be a $25 charge on any check returned for any reason.
  • The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival reserves the right to exclude from the fairgrounds any person (exhibitor, spectator, vendor, admission paying patron) who is in any manner disruptive or who exhibits inappropriate behavior that would disturb the public. Such behavior may include, but not be limited to, any public cursing, abusive, or belligerent language, or any language or conduct which causes others to feel threatened. The Festival may delegate authority to impose any such sanction to its designated security officers. Said sanction shall also include the right to temporarily or permanently ban participation in future events. In the event a person who has paid admission to the fairgrounds is asked to leave the premises, such admission shall be refunded upon the person leaving the premises.

ALL VIOLATORS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ESCORTED FROM THE PREMISES.

Animal Health Regulations

**All exhibitors and vendors bringing livestock to the Festival**

Please see Maryland Animal Health Fair and Show Requirements.

  • All Maryland livestock must be accompanied by a Maryland Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within ninety (90) days of the opening date of the Festival.
  • All out-of-state livestock must be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within thirty (30) days of the opening date of the Festival.
  • In addition to the appropriate CVI, a Livestock Exhibitors Self Certification of Animal Health is required for all sheep and goats brought onto the fairgrounds.
  • All sheep and goats must be officially scrapie-identified via USDA-approved eartag, legible tattoo, or a microchip ID (if the owner provides the reader).

ANIMALS FAILING TO MEET COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION OF ALL REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DENIED ENTRY OR BE REMOVED FROM THE FAIRGROUNDS IMMEDIATELY.

  • Due to Maryland Veterinary Inspection standards, no animals can be kept/penned outside of festival buildings.
  • Un-weaned baby lambs or those less than 60 days of age are not allowed at the Festival. This is very important due to health issues.

** Animals to be sold at the Festival**

If you sell your animals while at the festival, please do not allow the purchaser to remove the animal from your pens until after release on Sunday. If this occurs, ineligibility for future Festival shows and/or forfeiture of premium money may occur. If you have an animal that you have pre-sold, please have the CVI completed by your veterinarian along with your show papers. All animals that are moved from Maryland and not returned to the state of origin MUST be accompanied by a Maryland CVI. The scrapie program has enabled animals to be tracked from farm to farm.

We know that the health certificate requirements can be confusing. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Dr. Mara Mullinix at
(301) 865-4224 or at .

2024 tickets and catalogs now on sale!

Tickets and catalogs for the 2024 festival are now on sale at https://mswf2024.eventbrite.com. The deadline for ordering catalogs is March 15.

Schedule of Events

Search schedule by:

Event Type

Day

New this year: If you want to get a catalog before the Festival, you must order by March 15. You can order at mswf2024.eventbrite.com/. Festival tickets are on sale there now, too! If you prefer to pay by check, you can download a catalog order form from our website at sheepandwool.org/purchase-a-catalog/; just make sure it reaches us by March 15.A limited number of catalogs will be available in the T-Shirt Sales building at the Festival while supplies last. We are now suggesting a $5.00 donation for catalogs picked up at the Festival. #mdsw #mdsw2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Registration is now open at mswf2024.eventbrite.com for our Family Activities on festival weekend. Although targeted towards children, they are open to all ages. (Note: Parents of children 7 and under must stay with the child during the class.)This year's activities include:--God's Eye (Age 5+) --Card Weaving (Age 7+) --Needle Felted Hair Ties (Age 10+) --Lucet Braiding (Age 7+) --Exploring Simple Spinning (Age 5+) --Quick to Crochet (Age 7+)--Quick to Knit (Age 7+)--Needle Felted Fire Dragon (Age 7+) --Tapestry Weaving (Age 8+) --Hand Carding (Age 8+)--Needle Felted Beads (Age 10+) Spaces are limited, so pre-registration is recommended. If classes are not filled, registration at the Festival may be possible; check at the Family Activities Tents upon arrival. #mdsw #mdsw2024 #familyactivities #knit #crochet #weave #handcard #Spin #felt #lucet #needlefelt ... See MoreSee Less
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