FAQ
What are the dates of the next Festival?
The 54th annual Festival will be held on May 1 & 2, 2027.
How much does the Festival cost? 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.
If I go out to my car, can I get back in without paying again?
Absolutely! We will stamp your hand to allow re-entry to the Festival.
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.
Where are you located?
The Festival is held at the Howard County Fairgrounds, located 25 miles west of the city of Baltimore in Howard County, Maryland. The address is 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD 21794.
Is there public transportation?
Sorry, the Howard County Fairgrounds is located in the rural suburbs of Baltimore. No public transportation is available.
Can I use Uber or Lyft to come to the Festival?
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.
Is accessible parking available?
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.
Is the Festival accessible?
Please be aware that not all areas of the Festival venue are equally accessible to everyone, particularly those with mobility limitations. The site is on sloping ground with a mix of surfaces (pavement, grass, dirt, or gravel). A number of vendors are located in livestock barns with uneven surfaces (the primary use of the fairgrounds is for agricultural events). Please be careful as you move about. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Is wheelchair and scooter rental available?
Sorry, we are not able to offer onsite rentals of mobility devices, but you may be able to order a scooter or wheelchair from a company like Scootaround and have it delivered to your hotel or residence. The Festival takes no responsibility for any contracts or negotiations between you and this vendor.
Can I bring my dog? How about my emotional support animal or therapy dog?
No animals are allowed on the Festival grounds, with the exception of trained service animals (as defined by the ADA, accompanying individuals with disabilities), livestock (sheep, camelids, goats, rabbits) and working herding dogs entered for official show, display, or demonstration purposes (with proper health certificates available for inspection). Emotional support animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, companion animals, and pets are strictly prohibited.
If you do bring your Service dog, we ask that you avoid the Sheepdog Demonstrations as well as any barns or vendor booths that contain live animals (e.g., sheep, alpacas, rabbits).
If we bring a bus, where should we park?
All buses will now 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.
Is there a rain date for the Festival?
The festival will be held regardless of the weather. Hot or cold, rain or shine, mud or dust, the festival will go on!
Is there food at the Festival?
Yes, the Howard County Fairgrounds itself provides a wide variety of fair-style food concession booths throughout the grounds, and the Festival arranges for additional booths dedicated to serving lamb, although all the food lines can get lengthy at mid-day on Saturday. We also host a catered Saturday Night Shepherds Appreciation Dinner, and the Glenwood Lions Club booth will be open on Sunday morning for breakfast. You can find more information about those here.
Can I bring a picnic?
Absolutely! Some people even host tailgate parties! Other than alcohol, there are no restrictions on what you can bring for a picnic. Plus, we’ve got plenty of open space for you to picnic around the main stage and throughout the festival, so you’ll have no trouble finding a cozy spot to enjoy your feast.
Can I bring a pop-up canopy?
No. Due to Howard County Fire Marshal regulations, and the need to provide the county with a map in advance of the festival that includes the location of all tents, including pop-up canopies, the general public cannot bring pop-up canopies or other types of tents.
How do I get a t-shirt? Can I get one in advance?
Sales of Festival Merchandise are handled year-round through Sheepman.com, check out the online store. Once at the Fairgrounds, all Festival Gear is available for sale in the Festival Merchandise Building on the midway.
Do you need volunteers? Who do I contact?
Yes, we can always use extra hands, please check out our Volunteer Page for more information. If you are interested in helping year-round, there are many opportunities on our various festival committees.
Can we camp overnight at the Fairgrounds?
We’re sorry, but camping is not allowed for the general public. There are local campgrounds available, however. Patapsco Valley State Park has a variety of camping options. There are also campgrounds in nearby Carroll and Frederick Counties. See the Lodging information under Visiting the Festival for more details.
Where can I find my lost items?
Found items will be kept at the Information Tent throughout the Festival. After that, please email gro.loowdnapeehs@ofni to inquire and arrange for pick up. We will hold found items for approximately 30 days, then donate them to charity.
How do I sign up to get next year’s catalog?
Check out our Catalog page for details.
Do you still have a contest for the catalog cover art?
We no longer have a cover art contest. We are now commissioning pieces from local artists.
Can I still advertise this year?
Absolutely, web ads on our site run for the remaining calendar year and can be added at any time. The website is a resource for many visitors throughout the year. See more details.
How do I apply to become a vendor next year?
Vendor spaces are very limited, but we are always looking for fresh ideas. Check out our Vendor information page for more details.
Can I teach next year?
Check out our Workshop Information page for details and a link to the online proposal form.
How soon can we start planning for Next Year’s Festival?
Right away – the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is always held at the Howard County Fairgrounds the first full weekend in May. Come back in 2027 for our 54th annual Festival – May 1 & 2, 2027!
If you have any further questions, please contact us at info@sheepandwool.org.
