New Hampshire’s Annual Sheep and Wool Festival

Experience the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival 2025! Workshops, 120+ vendors, live demonstrations, and fiber animals await May 10-11.

Spring in New Hampshire brings more than just wildflowers and warmer temperatures—it heralds the return of one of the region’s most beloved fiber arts celebrations. The 2025 New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival will transform the Deerfield Fairgrounds into a woolly wonderland on May 10-11, offering a weekend packed with hands-on workshops, fiber demonstrations, and a marketplace showcasing the best from local shepherds and artisans.

Photo courtesy of Terelyuk

What’s new for 2025

The festival continues to grow, introducing online workshop registration, advance ticket sales, pre-festival merchandise, and an expanded food vendor selection. The beloved annual event, hosted by the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Growers Association (NHSWGA), continues to fulfill its mission of educating the public about sheep management while providing a vibrant community gathering for fiber enthusiasts of all levels.

With approximately 120 vendors expected, the marketplace is a highlight for many attendees. Shoppers can browse everything from raw fleeces and hand-dyed yarns to finished garments and fiber processing equipment. The festival offers a unique opportunity to meet the shepherds and artisans directly, learning about sustainable fiber practices while supporting local agriculture.

Fiber arts learning opportunities

The 2025 festival’s educational component offers eight distinct fiber arts workshops spanning both festival days, all accessible through the Eventeny registration platform. Visitors can immerse themselves in tactile crafts like wet felting, traditional peg loom techniques, beginning weaving on pre-warped looms, or creating fashionable accessories with bulky wool. Each workshop costs $40, with some requiring additional material fees paid directly to instructors.

Expert guidance comes from accomplished fiber artists representing diverse backgrounds—from longtime shepherds and professional designers to experienced educators and gallery artists. Most sessions welcome beginners, with several specifically designed for first-time crafters or children accompanied by adults. With class sizes capped between 7 and 15 participants to ensure individualized attention, these workshops offer an excellent opportunity to develop new skills under expert guidance and take home a completed fiber creation.

Photo courtesy of Rickmouser45/Flickr.

Sheep shows and competitions

A festival highlight is the youth sheep shows, which emphasize participation rather than competition, nurturing the next generation of shepherds. The Fleece Sale and Judging area provides a window into quality wool production, giving attendees the opportunity to evaluate and potentially purchase premium fiber directly from local farms. The Hand Spun Skein Contest, organized by the New Hampshire Spinners and Dyers Guild, showcases the remarkable artistry of fiber artists who transform raw wool into beautiful yarns, with special categories for youth, novice spinners, and spindle-spun entries.

New education area for 2025

This year’s festival enhances its educational mission with dedicated spaces for organizations promoting fiber arts and shepherding knowledge. Interactive displays and hands-on activities designed for visitors of all ages reinforce the event’s commitment to public education and community engagement. This expansion reflects the NHSWGA‘s core mission: “To teach sheep management skills, educate the public, and provide a forum for shepherds to meet and exchange ideas.”

Demonstrations: From sheep to shawl

Beyond structured workshops, the festival grounds come alive with demonstrations including sheep shearing, herding dogs in action, spinning contests, and a variety of fiber animals. Visitors can observe sheep, alpacas, llamas, goats, and angora rabbits up close, gaining appreciation for the diverse sources of natural fibers. These live demonstrations illustrate the complete journey from animal to finished product, offering visitors insights into both traditional methods and modern fiber processing techniques.

Photo courtesy of donald judge/Wikimedia Commons.

Family-friendly fun

The festival is intentionally structured as a welcoming event for all ages, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge, making this an affordable Mother’s Day weekend tradition. While pets are not permitted at the event (except for registered service animals), the fairgrounds provide ample space for exploration and discovery. With approximately 3,500 attendees expected, families can immerse themselves in agricultural traditions while creating lasting memories together.

Festival details and directions

When: May 10-11, 2025; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Deerfield Fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road, Deerfield
Admission: $10 for adults; children 12 and under free
Parking: Free, with handicap parking available near the entrance
Camping: Available with or without electricity for festival attendees in designated areas inside the fairgrounds

Detailed driving directions from major New Hampshire cities and neighboring states are available on the festival website to help visitors navigate to the fairgrounds. Advance tickets and workshop registration are available online through Eventeny.

Whether you’re a dedicated fiber artist or simply curious about where your wool sweater begins its journey, the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival offers a hands-on experience that connects agriculture, artistry, and community in the heart of the Granite State.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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