Festival Committee
It takes many hands to put on a festival. While not everyone here had a role in this year’s virtual festival, we want to acknowledge the work done by the tireless members of our standing committees, this year and every year.
If you are interested in joining us and getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the Festival, please contact .
Chairperson: Gwen Handler
General Manager: Kris Thorne
Support Committees
Admission: Kris Thorne, Larry Fisher, Barbara Graybeal, Gwen Handler, Lee Langstaff
Catalog: Kris Thorne
Festival Farm Market: Jeff White, Carolann McConaughy
Finance: Kris Thorne, Leslie Bauer, Denise Ziegler
Food Vendor Booths: Rosita Underwood
Grounds: Larry Fisher, Matt Benning, Rick Bontz, Gary & Liz Cavey, Tom Mullinix, Larry Pugh and family, Larry Raskin, Ridgely Thompson, Greg Thorne, Adam Willie
Home Arts Building: Nancy & David Greene
Hospitality: Mary K. Fry, Evelyne & Howard Bloomer, Simone Martinez
Information Tent: Bethe Brekke, Barbara & Jack Graybeal, Denise Geiger, Tom Humpheys, Rowan Huy, Shellie Smith; Announcer: Doug Alexander
Kick-off Celebration: Gloria Mathews, Cynthia Koonce, Katie Lunemann, Liam McGovern, Molly McGovern, Lynn Rainsberger
Parking: Matt Benning
Recycling: Peter Austin, Elizabeth Thornton
Retail Sales: Shelly Auker, Anja Abbott, Rick Bontz, Elizabeth Carter, Cody Chung, Laura Eisenman, Larry Fisher, Gwen Handler, Dolores Harris, Pauline LeClaire, Amber Markel, Rivkah Mentzer, Nancy Norris, Stephanie Norris, Jessica Raskin, Larry Raskin, Judy Seymour, Kathie Simon, Kris Thorne, Adam Willie
Ribbons & Trophies: Jan Derry
Saturday Dinner/Sunday Breakfast: Shelly Auker
Security: Larry Fisher
Tents & Tables: Jan White
Vendor Booths: Jan White, Gwen Handler, Pat Kohler, Lee Langstaff, Angela Muller, Cindy Senseney, Kris Thorne, Marjorie Warden, Denise Ziegler
Volunteer Coordinator: Gwyneth Breyer
Educational Seminars & Demonstrations
Family Activities: Kellie Nuss, Helene Davis
Fiber Arts Demonstrations: Nora Miller
Fiber Arts Workshops: Lois Geer, Pamela Jenkins, Jean Beaudry, Jeanne Bohlen, Lisa Check, Sally Eller, Janet Garman, Frances Hartley, Pat Henley, Peggy Howell, Janet Lee, Victoria McKay, Yvonne Muise, Angela Muller, Nan Reinhardt, Gayle Roehm, Beth Truesdale, Mila Vascones-Gatski & John Gatski, Sara Watkins
Lamb Promotion & Education: Sharron & Don Pilson; Patricia, David, Ian & Ben Sanville; Karren Sowell
Maryland Make It With Wool: Judy Williamson, Linda Brown, Amanda Clougherty, Jamie Frank, Donna Gill, Breanne Lippy Hitch, Jeanne Lippy
Sheep Breeds Display: Alex & Karren Sowell, Konnor Sowell
Sheep Shearing Demonstrations: Emily Chamelin Hickman, Martin & Ruth Chamelin
Working Sheepdog Demonstrations: Nancy Starkey, A.J. Hesketh-Tutton
Shepherd Seminars & Workshops: Lee Langstaff, Polly Matzinger
Shows & Competitions
Club Lamb Jackpot: Robert Dinsmore, Charlotte Dinsmore
Creative Shearing Competition: Peter Austin
Fine Arts Competition: Kris Thorne
Fleece Show & Sale: Jill Arnold, Lee Langstaff, Judy Leece, María Barrerá-Oro, Carey Benadon, Kate Bostek, Alicia Clugh, Bonnie Frederick, Laurie Hynson, Pamela Jenkins, Elaine Parry, Beverly Swayze
Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon: Susan Schoenian, Ashley Travis
Junior Spinning Contest: Patricia, David, Ian & Ben Sanville; Rhiannon Huscha, Karyn Spertzel
Lead Line Contest: Karen Fleishell-Fought, John Fought
Maryland Sheep & Wool Ambassador Contest: Barbara Mullen, Karren Sowell
Sheep Photo Contest: Roxanne Dean, Mary Streaker
Sheep Poster Contest: Patricia Sanville
Sheep Shows: Mara Mullinix DVM, Amy Miller, Milleanne Mullinix, Meredith Null, Mary Rasche; Announcer: Tom Colyer
Sheep-to-Shawl Contest: Chris Gahs, Susan Withnell
Skein & Garment Competition: Angela Collison, Terry Collison, Carol Bailey, Joanna Crosby, Bonnie Lease, Fred Lease, Judy Rhoades, Betsy Szkil, Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Youth Conservationist Program: Elaine Ashcraft, Michele Clawson, Alesia Moore
Other Events
Book Signings: Skye Anderson
Shepherds Auction: Joe & Debbie Frey, Dick & Loretta Gunberg, Gretchen Jahnke, Jim Miers, Chris Miller, Kathy Santo Cristo, Charles Turdo; Auctioneers: Jack Downin, Fred D. Parks
Spin-In: Nancy Norris, Stephanie Norris, Janet Alger, Wendy Carballo, Karen Clough, Rivkah Mentzer, LeeAnne Roberts
In Rememberance
George W. Harkins, who was co-chairman of the Festival's Shepherds Auction Committee for many years, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Born on February 9, 1954 in Fallston, MD, he was one of seven children born to Margaret (Markline) Harkins of Whiteford, MD and the late Edgar Irving Harkins, Jr., as well as a 1972 graduate of North Harford High School in Pylesville, MD.
In his adolescent years, George was active on the Pylesville family dairy farm and was a 4-H club member working with Ayrshire dairy cattle as his projects. He received numerous awards and had been recognized for many achievements. He continued his love for the 4-H program serving on the board of directors for the 4-H Camp of Harford County and was a dedicated supporter of the 4-H All Star Program. True to his agricultural heritage, George served on the board of directors for the Harford County Farm Fair where he continued later as a director emeritus and was a staunch supporter of the FFA program. He had served on the Eastern National Livestock Fair Committee. A carpenter, George had been known as a jack of all trades having many talents.
Geoerge is survived by his wife, Judy Miller-Harkins, with whom he had shared nearly 5 years of marriage. Judy was also a member of the Shepherds Auction Committee.
