Celebrating 50 years

The first “Sheep and Wool Crafts Festival” was held in 1974 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Westminster, Maryland. Prior to the establishment of the Festival, the only place that handspinners could buy fleeces was at the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association’s annual wool pool, where this buying and selling tended to disrupt the regular business and was also not precisely legal; since technically the buying company had contracted to buy all the wool brought into the Pool.

This first Festival was a one-day event and included a highly successful wool sale (it was reported that “mobs of hand spinners” from six different states snapped up the fleeces); demonstrations of spinning and weaving; wool craft sales; a Lamb & Wool Queen Contest; a food booth selling lamb barbecue; a freezer lamb raffle; live sheep exhibits; shearing demonstrations; working sheepdog demonstrations; a ladies’ lead contest; and a decorated lamb class. Attendance was estimated to be around 1500 people.

Over the years, more events were added; sheep shows debuted in 1979. By 1980, the Festival had outgrown the Carroll County Fairgrounds and was moved to its present location at the Howard County Fairgrounds. There were a whopping 25 craft booths at that time! Now there are close to 275 vendor booths, attendance has increased more than tenfold, and the Festival is widely viewed as one of the premier festivals of its kind in the nation.

The first Festival chairman was Janet Sorrells. She was followed by Rae Nicholson, Charlotte Gardner, and Mary Streaker. Our current chairman, Gwen Handler, has held the position since 1994. Kudos to all for leading us to where we are today!

50th Anniversary Events

• Ribbon Cutting – Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Main Gate
• Opening Ceremony – Saturday, 10:00 a.m., rear of Main Exhibition Annex

Visit our Museum

Come to the 4-H Hall during the Festival and view our collection of catalogs, posters, t-shirts, and other memorabilia from the past 50 years. We will also have photographs, scrapbooks, and other archival materials on display.

Anniversary Wishes

Happy 50th anniversary! Cheers to future successes and past triumphs.
–George R. Pasley

Shiloh Pottery congratulates MS&WF on its 50th anniversary.
–Shiloh Pottery, Inc.

We have participated and provided leadership to all of the 50 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festivals. We Congratulate the MD Sheep Breeders Assn. for developing this event and we want to say thank you to the thousands of volunteers that have made the FESTIVAL such a huge success.
–David & Nancy Liebno Greene, White Hall, Maryland

Happy 50th anniversary! Cheers to future successes and past triumphs.
–Hunt Valley Cashmere

In memory of Martin Hamilton and in honor of his wife Joanne, congratulations on your 50th anniversary.
–Your 4H friends

Hooray for 50 years of inspiring fun and festivities! Here’s to 50 more! Warmest regards from a huge fiber fan and fan of the Maryland S&W Festival… Yarn Farm Kingston, a yarn shop and wine bar on the Kingston Waterfront in NY’s Hudson Valley.
–Yarn Farm Kingston

50 yrs!? Just flew by! Congrats.
–The Rosefield

Wishing you all the best on your 50th anniversary
–Spooky Nook Farm/Valais Blacknose Sheep of Pennsylvania

I heard someone describe the Festival as “life-altering!” It’s certainly been that for me. Thank you to very special friends who make it happen – here’s to another 50 years celebrating sheep & fibers!
–Mary Bare, Cranberry Creek Fibers

Congratulations on fifty years of unforgettable moments!
–Vivian Roston

Congratulations on your 50th anniversary.
–The Spinning Wheel Sleuth

Wool is the Mother of All Fibers! Thank you for supporting all shepherds and their flocks!
–Maggie’s Farm, Brookfield, New York

Wishing Ewe a Happy 50th Anniversary. Here’s to many more to come.
–Amanda, Stephanie, Jenn, Kri, and Cas, Cloverhill Yarn Shop

This is my happy place! Congratulations on 50 wonderful, wooly years and 33 years of memories from meeting new friends and vendors, being a vendor, attending workshops, learning to spin, and most of all one-on-one interactions with the sheep.
–Cathy Borden at the Wishnfarm

Cheers to 50 years of bringing fiber artists, breeders and expert demonstrators together! You’ve been a fantastic & dedicated team, in sunny and stormy weather. MDSW is simply amazing. We wish you the best!
–Suellen and Jim, Spruce Mountain Designs

Congrats on 50 years! MDSWF has been the source of many fond memories over the years…countless wonderful friendships…valuable learning experiences for our kids…and so much fun. We’re honored to participate and look forward to your bright future!
–Roy and Karen Deppa, Poplar Spring Farm, Brookeville, MD

Maryland S&W has made our world a better place. Congratulation to all!
–-Rebecca Francis Rag Rugs E-17

Congratulations on your 50th anniversary.
–Retha Sueda

Congratulations! To celebrate the Maryland Sheep and Wool 50th anniversary we will produce a limited edition range of Classic Carder drum carders with a special anniversary inscription to mark the occasion.
–Best wishes, Classic Carder, Main Exhibition Hall #C20