10/10/2019 - 9:00am to 10/14/2019 - 5:00pm
2019 Schedule Coming Soon!
October 10th - 14th, 2018
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Sun Valley is a gathering to present and preserve the history and culture associated with sheep herding in Idaho and the West. It has been ranked "One of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World" by msn.com.
2018 will mark the Trailing of the Sheep Festival's 22nd year in action, and it's sure to be the best festival yet. While sheep are the main attraction each year, the festival offers something fun for everyone in the family. The Culinary Fest and Cooking Classes held during the festival are perfect for foodies, and the Folklife Fair offers arts and crafts for those of all skill levels. Events are held in various locations throughout Sun Valley, Hailey & Ketchum, Idaho Check out our blog about the festival here.
2018 Trailing of the Sheep Festival Attractions
Taste & Craft
Thursday, October 11th - The Limelight Hotel will host Taste & Craft beginning at 4:00 pm for VIPs & 7:00 pm for General Admission. Sample the best beer, wine, spirits and food from Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The event benefits the Trailing of the Sheep Festival and offers a chance to meet the vendors who bring you the best local food and drinks. VIP or General Admission tickets available here.
For the Love of Lamb
Friday, October 12th 4:30 pm - For the Love of Lamb Culinary Festival offers attendees the chance to taste and vote on lamb bites from a great deal of excellent restaurants. $20 buys lamb-bite-eaters a wrist band and all-you-can-eat lamb bites (until they run out)! Buy your tickets here.
Folklife Fair
Saturday, October 13th 10 am to 4 pm at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey. The festival is a truly unique event with artists, music, dance, presentations, food and 70 vendors featuring sheep & wool themed goods. The "Kids Fluff" booth will have free and $5 crafts and fun led by the local 4-H. Admission to the Fair is free. There is also a great selection of classes to choose from throughout the festival. Attendees pay a small fee (dependent on the class) and learn how to make a beautiful craft from wool.
Wool Fest Classes & Workshops
Register for classes here.
Friday, October 12th, 2018
- Shibori Dyeing (Dye silk or wool scarves with this Japanese art form)
- Leaping Lamb Pouch (Make a custom phone pouch)
- Mitchell Homestead Pillow or Wall-hanging (Stitching techniques)
- Shibori Too! (Similar to Shibori Dyeing, but inclusive of more techniques)
- Rug Hooking with Wool
- Colorful Baby Socks
- Botanical Dyeing (Learn to color plants)
Saturday, October 13th, 2018
- No-Purl Rib Knit Scarf
- Cobweb Felting (Learn to felt hand-dyed wool fiber)
- Wool if by Hand (Learn to comb & card wool)
- Delectable Double-Dyed Scarves
- Needle Felting (Learn to felt 2 or 3 dimensional shapes)
- Taniko Finger Weaving
- From Fleece to Studio (How to prepare fleece)
- Drop-Spindle Spinning
- Weave a Tapestry Beaded Bag
Sunday, October 14th, 2018
- What-Not Box (Cute wool embroidered box)
- Glorious Tassels and Pompoms (To put on purses, gifts & more)
Farm-to-Table Dinners
Gather at the Wood River Sustainability Center in Hailey for a farm style dinner featuring American Lamb and Local Produce.
Wednesday, October 10th - for reservations click here.
Thursday, October 11th - Sold Out
Cooking With Lamb Classes
Join the best chefs in the valley for a step-by-step class and learn their secrets to cooking with Lamb. These classes sell out quickly, so register early here.
Thursday, October 11th
Chef Chris Kastner of CK's Real Food - Lamb Shank Tagine w/ Prunes & Carrots
Chef Jim Roberts, Arid Club Executive Chef - Rack of Lamb
Chef Spring Bullard, Private Chef with Good Scents - Lamb Moussaka
Friday, October 12th
Chef Laurent Loubot of Michel's Christiania - Lamb Tenderloin
Chef Sean Temple of Warfield Distillery & Brewery - Spinach Gnocchi & Braised Lamb Shoulder
Chef Brent Rasmussen at Ketchum Grill - Greek Lamb Kleftiko w/ Potatoes & Vegetables
"The Shepherdess of the Glaciers"
Thursday, October 11th at 7 pm - Enjoy a documentary film centered on a shepherdess of sheep and endangered Pashmina goats in the Himalayas. This screening is at the Community School in Sun Valley and costs just $20. Filmmaker Stazin Dorjai-Gya will be on site for a post-film Q&A session! For more information click here.
Sheeptales Gathering
Friday, October 12th at 7 pm - Enjoy a documentary screening of Gaucho Del Norte (Gaucho of the North). This screening held at the Sun Valley Opera House in Sun Valley costs just $20. Filmmakers Sofian Khan and Andres Caballero will be on site for a post-film Q&A session!
Sheep Art Show, Picnic & Music
Sunday, October 14th 10 am to 3 pm - Before and after the parade, gather at Ketchum Town Square for food by the Wood River Sustainability Center and music by Cindy & Gary Braun and Gator Nation.
Sheep Parade
Sunday, October 14th at Noon - Watch an authentic sheep migration of over 1,500 sheep! This annual event is a huge hit and will please everyone in the family. We suggest arriving a bit before the parade starts at noon to grab a good spot along Main Street in Ketchum. The parade will feature historic sheep wagons and dancers wearing historic garb. Before and after the parade, Ketchum Town square will be the place to gather for a picnic with live music & an art show.
Sheep Jam
Saturday, October 13th from 6 pm to 11 pm - Get down at the Sheep Jam! The Dusty 45s will be at Whiskey Jacques' to perform for attendees, who can enjoy a cocktail reception and lamb dinner buffet beforehand. $75 includes the cocktail reception, dinner and show, and there will be a cash bar open during the show. Attendees can also purchase a ticket to the show only for $25.
Sheep Dog Trials
October 12th, 13th and 14th - The Sheep Dog Trials features extremely talented animals, and events take place throughout the day. The west's most talented border collies will be competing in The National Point Qualifying Sheepdog Trails. Over 30 vendors will be onsite offering food, beverages, and local wares.
