For an authentic, inexpensive cultural heritage travel experience, check out the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, held each mid-October in the Wood River Valley of Idaho. Every year the popular Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates the 150+ year tradition of moving sheep from mountain summer pastures south through the valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas. This annual migration is Idaho living history and a weekend long festival that highlights the people, arts, cultures, and traditions of sheep ranching in Idaho and the west. This is not a reenactment, but a real slice of the American west. This unique cultural heritage Festival, rated as one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World by msn.com, has international appeal, drawing thousands each year. www.trailingofthesheep.org
Highlights include:
*Authentic Sheep Folklife Fair in Hailey featuring Basque, Scottish, Polish and Peruvian dancers & music, sheepdog herding sheep shearing and sheep camp cooking demonstrations, sheep wagon displays, storytelling sessions, sheep and wool product exhibits, classes, and children’s activities.
*Culinary events such as Cooking w/Idaho Lamb classes, For the Love of Lamb Foodie Fest, Lamb Feast & Lamb BBQ
*A Wool Festival with classes in knitting, spinning & felting, a fleece competition, exhibits and special lectures by fiber experts.
*Special Exhibits & Programs on the history and culture of ranching in the West
*Championship Sheepdog Trials – watch 50 of the most talented border collies in the west compete over three days for prizes.
*Trailing of the Sheep Parade – witness a “wall of wool” featuring over 1500+ sheep trailing down Main Street in Ketchum!
