Trailing of the Sheep Festival Attracts Record-Setting Crowds

They moved food vendors to free up more room in Roberta McKercher Park. But, still, the park was elbow to elbow with sheep seekers who’d come from as far away as United Kingdom and Poland when it came time for the annual Sheep Folk Fair on Saturday.

And chairs of spectators watching the Sheep Dog Trials were stacked six deep, according to Sun Valley artist Lisa Holley.

“It used to be you could cruise in and plop your chair down,” she said.

Look for a Sheep Jam on Ketchum’s Main Street today as 1,500 struttin’ mutton move through town in front of thousands of spectators from as far away as the United Kingdom and Poland.

The sheep will be preceded by a bagpipe band and Basque and Peruvian dancers and a few sheep wagons .

Cindy and Gary Braun will play cowboy tunes from 10 a.m. to noon on Irving’s Hill at 4^thand Main Streets. And Gator Nation will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. in partnership with Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival.

Other things on tap to conclude the 22^nd annual Trailing of the Sheep Folk Festival:

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sheep Dog Trials conclude in Quigley Canyon

9-11:30 a.m. Sheep Photography Outing leaving from Ketchum Post Office at 151 4^th St. in Ketchum. Free.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be sheep art and crafts in the Ketchum Town Square.

Noon–Trailing of the Sheep Parade commences with 1,500 struttin’ mutton on Ketchum’s Main Street. Wood River Sustainability Center will have lamb eats for sale at Irving’s Hill.

2 p.m.—Flat Top Sheep Rancher John Peavey who founded the Trailing of the Sheep Festival with his wife Diane Josephy Peavey, will conclude this year’s festival with a Sheepherder Hike viewing sheepherder carvings on aspen trees. Those wishing to take part may meet at the Ketchum Forest Service Park at First and Washington Streets at 2 p.m. Participants can take a bus ride to the canyon north of Ketchum for $10 or they may follow in car.

Reposted from Eye on Sun Valley.