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2002 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

by Kelly Ward

The 2002 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (always the first weekend in May) was the mecca of hundreds of wool sheep exhibitors and thousands of visitors over a two-day period. There is probably no sheep festival with the longevity of MSWF ( http://www.sheepandwool.org/ ) and most, if not all, of it is due to the members of Maryland Sheep Breeders Association.

The weather cooperated and it was a wonderful Maryland in May weekend. Exhibitors were greeted with all new sheep barns. The white barns, each with a green tin roof, could be seen in the approach from the highway. There was new electrical & plumbing, and all new pen gates. Next year should see the paving of the center aisle in all barns. Friday night was the exhibitor welcome dinner in the show ring. It gave the exhibitors a chance to mingle with each other away from the blocking stand!

Saturday and Sunday visitors could choose from sheep shearing, sheep shows, spinning, weaving, working sheepdog, gourmet lamb cooking, and demonstrations and workshops concerning all facets of the sheepindustry. The variety of quality vendors is enormous, and all sheep related. The Parade of Breeds is one of the highlights for the festival visitors. All breeds are walked about the ring as the announcer relates the history of each. The crowds are jammed about the edges of the ring to see this. There was a special exhibit of Mayan weavers demonstrating their ancient skills. The auction featured some specialty one-of-a-kind spinning wheels, birds eye maple and mahogany were some of the woods. The bidding was fast and furious on those and they brought top prices and interest.

Tom Brown at the White Romney show The parking on the grounds is free. People come from many states and big cities. They could shop and browse among the craft booths, see hundreds of sheep, eat really good food, listen to great live music, and have a relaxed and wonderful visit. Much of the good food is lamb - burgers, barbecue, kebobs, sliced roasted leg sandwiches - and it's Maryland lamb. This is truly a positive demonstration of lamb promotion. Each festival year's memorabilia (t-shirts, mugs, hats, vests, sweatshirts, bags, etc.) printed with the year and its unique sheep poster for that year, is highly valued. When the time for exhibitors to purchase is announced, there's a mad dash with money in hand to get first pick. When the crowds arrive on Saturday morning, the lines snake up the road, waiting to get in to buy t-shirts, etc. Most items sell out, and those that don't are available the following year. Next year is the 30th anniversary of MSWF, and those keepsakes will be in great demand!

Tom Brown at the White Romney show The two Romney shows - white and black - had the highest numbers this year. Tom Brown judged both. He spent much time explaining structure of the sheep, what is desirable and why. Several junior ARBA members were there and presented their sheep admirably. Besides the Maryland Romney breeders, ARBA was represented by New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maine, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee. With 2003 being the 30th anniversary of MSWF, why don't YOU plan on attending and possibly show a sheep!

Last updated 5/21/02.

All membership questions and Association business should be sent to the ARBA Secretary, Jean Kamenicky, at secretary@americanromney.org. This includes any comments on this web site or suggestions for content.