Visiting the Festival
Save the Date! 2027 Festival Dates
54th Annual Festival – May 1st and 2nd, 2027
Festival Location
The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is held at the Howard County Fairgrounds, located 25 miles west of the city of Baltimore in Howard County, Maryland.
Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairgrounds Road
West Friendship, MD 21794-9604 USA
Hours
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Gates and vendors open at 8:30 a.m. both days.
- No early admission
Admission and Parking
Admission Fees
- Adults (18 and over)
- Online: $12.50 per person, per day (plus $2.61 Eventbrite processing fee) for eTickets purchased online (link will be added here towards the end of 2026). Each ticket is valid for a one-day admission and may be used on either Saturday or Sunday. If you are coming both days, you will need to buy two tickets. Tickets purchased online accepted on mobile devices or printed copies.
- At the gate: $15.00 per person, per day
- Children and teens under 18 – Free.
Bus trip organizers: email gro.loowdnapeehs@eciffo for information on purchasing tickets for your group.
Paying at the Gate
- Credit Cards: We accept credit cards at the gate for a quick and simple option.
- Cash or Check: Prefer cash or check? Those work too! Exact change is greatly appreciated.
Parking
Parking is free.
In order to minimize traffic backups on feeder roads during peak hours, the Howard County Police Department may divert vehicles into the overflow parking area across the street from the fairgrounds, even if spaces are still available in the fairgrounds parking lot. Shuttle service will be provided. Advance purchase of a ticket does not guarantee parking in the fairgrounds lot.
Fairgrounds Entrances
The Howard County Fairgrounds has two entrances from MD-144 (Frederick Road) – one to the East near MD-32, and one to the West near MD-97.
Directions to the Festival
Notice:
If you are traveling to the Festival from points West, we ask that you use the MD-97 exit on I-70. At the light, turn left onto MD-144 East. The West Entrance of the Howard County Fairgrounds will be on your left. (This will help minimize traffic backups on MD-32.)
The Howard County Police Department advises that at peak times, such as Saturday morning, you should be prepared to wait for up to an hour.
From Baltimore, MD I-70
- Take I-70 WEST to MD-32 SOUTH via exit 80 towards Sykesville/Clarksville.
- Turn LEFT onto MD-32 SOUTH.
- Turn RIGHT onto MD-144 WEST (Frederick Road).
- Turn RIGHT at Fairgrounds Road into the EAST ENTRANCE of the fairgrounds. Note: To expedite the movement of traffic, you also may be directed to overflow parking at the Howard County Farm Heritage Museum across from the fairgrounds. Shuttle service will be available.
From Frederick, MD I-70
- Take I-70 EAST to MD-97 SOUTH via exit 76 towards Olney/Cooksville.
- Turn LEFT onto MD-144 EAST (Frederick Road).
- Turn LEFT into the WEST ENTRANCE of fairgrounds. Note: To expedite the movement of traffic, you also may be directed to overflow parking at the Howard County Farm Heritage Museum across from the fairgrounds. Shuttle service will be available.
From Washington, DC I-95
- Take I-95 NORTH, to the MD-32 WEST exit (38B), towards Columbia.
- MERGE onto MD-32 W.
- Turn LEFT onto MD-144 WEST (Frederick Road).
- Turn RIGHT at Fairgrounds Road into the EAST ENTRANCE of the fairgrounds. Note: To expedite the movement of traffic, you also may be directed to overflow parking at the Howard County Farm Heritage Museum across from the fairgrounds. Shuttle service will be available.
Accessible Parking
Designated accessible parking is available at the East Entrance for guests with valid accessibility permits. Please remain in the far right lane upon arrival, and our parking team will be happy to assist and direct you.
RV Parking
RV parking will be available in overflow parking across the street from the fairgrounds, where there is a level gravel parking area. The Howard County Police Department traffic control officers will direct you there. Shuttle service will be provided.
Bus Parking
If you are bringing a bus to the Festival, please note the following: Buses will enter the fairgrounds through the East entrance and should stay in the far right lane. They will be directed to the second parking lot access road, where they will stop and unload at the end of the path to the ticket booth. They will then proceed to the bus parking area. Passengers may access the buses throughout the day once they are in the parking area.
Planes, Trains, and Buses
The Howard County Fairgrounds is located in the rural suburbs of Baltimore. No public transportation is available.
While Uber and Lyft may be viable options, we do not have a designated area for dropping off or picking up passengers. The parking staff will guide your driver to the most appropriate area given traffic conditions at the time. Please be aware that the Howard County Police Department advises that at peak times, such as Saturday morning, you should be prepared to wait in traffic for up to an hour. Also, in order to minimize traffic backups on feeder roads during these peak hours, the Police Department may divert vehicles into an overflow parking area across the street from the fairgrounds. Shuttle service from the overflow lot will be available.
Airports
- Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – 25 miles
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 50 miles
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 60 miles
Train Stations
- Baltimore Penn Station (BAL) – 22 miles
- BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – 25 miles
- Washington Union Station (WAS) – 42 miles
Greyhound Stations
- Baltimore Downtown Bus Station – 22 miles
- Frederick Bus Station, Frederick MD – 26 miles
- Union Station, Washington DC – 42 miles
Festival Weather
Rain or shine, mud or dust, the festival will go on! The weather at the festival can change quickly. Please check the weather before you leave for the festival.
Please keep in mind, no pets are allowed at the Festival.
Thank you for your help in making this a great experience for all! If you have any questions, please email gro.loowdnapeehs@ofni. We look forward to seeing you in May!
