Maryland Sheep & Wool Ambassador Competition

Updated for 2024

The 2024 Maryland Sheep & Wool Ambassador will be chosen at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The person selected to serve will represent the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association and help to promote sheep and wool during the following year. The competition is open to all genders. Three Reserve Ambassadors will also be chosen. In the event that the Ambassador is not able to fulfill their obligations, a Reserve Ambassador will serve as substitute.

Qualifications

  1. Must be between the ages of 14 and 18 inclusive (based on age as of January 1).
  2. Must be active in some area of sheep or wool production: purebreds, commercial, 4-H or FFA project, spinning, etc.
  3. Must be a resident of the state of Maryland.

Responsibilities

  1. Participate actively at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.
  2. Attend and help with sheep shows at the county fairs throughout the state (list of events will be provided).
  3. Attend and help with Open Sheep Shows during the Maryland State Fair.
  4. Give a report of activities at the Maryland Sheep Breeders annual banquet in October.
  5. Promote lamb and wool in a variety of other ways: 4-H clubs, Ag Week displays, Taste of Maryland Agricultural Dinner in February, etc.
  6. Assist with the 2025 Maryland Sheep & Wool Ambassador Competition.

Criteria for Selection

  1. Poise and ease of contestant
  2. Apparent zest or stage presence of contestant
  3. Previous background and activities with sheep and wool
  4. Knowledge of the sheep and wool industry
  5. Public speaking ability

Prizes

Gifts will be awarded to all contestants.

The Ambassador will receive a cash award of $100 from the Festival, slippers from H. Trawitz & Sons, and a wool fabric sash sponsored by Brittany Lippy.

The Reserve Ambassadors will each receive a a cash award of $50.


How to Enter

Submit your application via this online entry form.

Deadline extended! Entries must be received by April 28, 2024.

Questions can be sent to .

2024 Festival Gear Now Available

A selection of 2024 Festival Merchandise is now available. We have short-sleeved t-shirts, long-sleeved hooded t-shirts, three styles of bags, and two sizes of posters. Click "Read More" for details on how you can get yours!

Schedule of Events

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The Festival would not be possible without volunteer help. Please consider giving a couple of hours of your time so we can continue to make this the great event it is. Volunteer opportunities start with set-up day, continue through t-shirt folding during the week and everything that needs to be done on Festival weekend, and culminates with tear down on Sunday night. Head on over to the sign-up site at www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0945ABA72BAAFA7-49093365-2024 to choose the tasks and times that work best for you!Everyone who volunteers in advance to work on Festival weekend receives free admission to the Festival on the day they volunteer. Everyone who volunteers also gets a volunteer shirt, a unique souvenir which is NOT available to the general public.Additional information about volunteering can be found at sheepandwool.org/participate/volunteer/. #mdsw #mdsw2024 #volunteersrock ... See MoreSee Less
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We are excited to welcome Meagan Condon to Maryland Sheep and Wool this year. She is teaching several half-day spinning classes including Spin the Yarn You Need: Understanding Wheel Adjustments, What the Fluff? All About Loft, Drape or Disaster, Divide and Conquer- Deconstructing Double-Coated Fleece, What to Do with that Braid You Just Bought, and Why Does Wool Do That? Meagan is an internationally published writer and fiber artist with extensive experience teaching the art of making yarn. She resides on twenty acres outside of Kansas City where she has a fiber studio with space for growing dye and fiber plants and exploring her vast fiber interests including the microscopy of fiber, breed studies, and the science behind textiles. Over the last decade, Meagan has been making a name for herself teaching at fiber retreats and conferences across North America. Meagan is a prolific writer, and her articles have appeared in Ply, Spin-Off, and The Wheel magazines. Follow her on Social Media at Luthvarian Fiber Arts. Limited seats are available for her classes...sign up today at www.lessonface.com/arts-lessons/maryland-sheep-wool-festival#mdsw #mdsw2024 #marylandsheepandwoolfestival #handspinning #handspinningyarn #handspinningclass ... See MoreSee Less
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Information about this year's auctions is now available on our website:--Saturday auction of spinning and weaving equipment: sheepandwool.org/festival/auction-of-spinning-and-weaving-equipment/--Sunday auction of sheep equipment and supplies: sheepandwool.org/festival/auction-of-sheep-equipment-and-supplies/The auctioneer who has done the Saturday auction for the past several years is returning. He will be taking care of both auctions this year, and he will also be bringing a team which will be handling the entire process, from check-in to check-out. We have a new commission structure, and we've gathered some information from veteran attendees to help everyone get the most out of the experience:--Tips for Sellers: sheepandwool.org/tips-for-sellers-auction-of-spinning-and-weaving-equipment/--Tips for Buyers: sheepandwool.org/tips-for-buyers/I also hear that the Saturday auction is a great place to people watch, even if you aren't buying or selling! ... See MoreSee Less
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