New and Noteworthy for 2020
Festival Hours and Admission Fee
Admission Fee
- $5 per person per day-18 and older
- Under 18 free
Ticket Sales
- In advance-https://mswf2020.eventbrite.com/. $1.27 processing fee applies. There will be separate lane(s) to have advance tickets scanned.
- At the gate-cash or check only. There will be an exact change lane, so bring your $5 bills!
Hours
- Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. NO EARLY ADMISSION.
- Gates open at 7:00 a.m. Sunday to accommodate Breakfast Buffet attendees.
- Vendors open at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Featured Breed: Border Leicester
In partnership with the American Border Leicester Association, we are pleased to present Border Leicester as our 2020 Featured Breed. Learn about them in the Breed Display Barn (Barn 7-8 on the map). There will also be special Border Leicester prizes in the Fleece Show & Sale and Skein & Garment Competition.
Special Gotland Classes in the Fleece Show & Sale
This year there are special classes in the Fleece Show & Sale as part of the American Gotland Sheep Society (AGSS) National Fleece Show. Classes for Gotland fleeces will include: Adult rams and wethers, adult ewes, yearling fleeces (either sex) and lamb fleeces (either sex).
New Authors’ Tent
This year we will be holding book signings in the new Authors’ Tent under the flagpole in front of the 4-H Hall.
Antique Shearing Equipment Display
Again this year, David and Nancy Greene of White Hall, Maryland will share their collection of late 19th century and 20th century equipment used to shear sheep and clip cows and horses. On display in the Home Arts Building.
New Entry Times for Competitions in the Bingo Hall
On Friday, May 1, entries will be accepted as follows:
- Skein & Garment Competition, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Sheep Photo Competition, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. **Note New Time**
- Sheep Poster Competition, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
- Fine Arts Competition, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. **Note New Time**
Special Junior Fleece-to-Shawl Demonstration
Join us in welcoming the Spinsters fiber team from the Fiber Arts 1 and 2 classes at the Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania, who will be doing a Fleece-to-Shawl Demonstration. Starting with an unwashed fleece, they will spin yarn and weave a shawl all within a few hours. Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Barn 7-8.
New Creative Shearing Competition
New this year is our first annual Creative Shearing Competition. Shearers are challenged to re-direct their mastery of the process as sculpture, landscaping, haute couture, or a journey of craft and art. Judging will be based on artistry, originality, humor, and skill, and the shearers will rewarded with awards and public acclaim. Come to the Show Ring on Saturday at noon and see what they have come up with!
Free Class – The Basics of Cheesemaking
In this fun beginners class, led by Alicia Clugh of the Maryland Cheese Guild, you will learn all about how milk becomes cheese. Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in the 4-H Hall. This two-hour class is offered free of charge. Space is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Shepherd Seminars & Workshops
Pre-Festival Shepherd Workshops
- Breeding and Producing for Wool with Sue Blacker, Thursday, April 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Home Arts Building
- Shepherding Basics with Dr. Richard Barczewski, Friday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Show Ring
- Basic Sheep Handling with Dr. Richard Barczewski, Friday, May 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Show Ring
Free Shepherd Seminars
- Shepherd’s Chat with John Fichtner, Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Dining Hall
- Starting a Flock for Wool Production with Sue Blacker, Saturday, May 2 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall
Sunday Fiber Arts Lectures
- My Story, A Fiber Artist’s Path to Success with Diane Ivey of Lady Dye Yarns, Sunday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the 4-H Hall at the Fairgrounds
- Five Women, Five Shawls with Franklin Habit, Sunday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the 4-H Hall at the Fairgrounds
Fee: $5, payable at the door on a first come, first served basis.
Schedule Changes for Sheep-to-Shawl Competition and Club Lamb Jackpot
The Sheep-to-Shawl Competition will now start at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday in Barn 7-8. The Club Lamb Jackpot will be at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Show Ring.
Demonstrations in the Festival Farm Market
Come to the Big Tent in the Festival Farm Market, located just inside the main gate, for cooking and cheesemaking demonstrations with local chefs and cheesemakers. Check the sign board outside the tent for demonstration times.
