WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Rural Lands (WRL), a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust, invites members of the community to the return of its Sheep to Shawl event on Saturday, May 7, from 11am to 3pm.

 

Located at WRL's Sheep Hill headquarters, the festival will celebrate spring and New England heritage with time-honored crafts, local artisans, farm animals, and a focus on the region's historic fleece and fiber industry. 

 

Fred DePaul will spin stories and use traditional tools to shear sheep, while border collies from Tanstaafle Farm and Littlebrook Farm herd sheep in complex maneuvers around the hills. 

 

The Green Mountain Weavers and Spinners Guild will demonstrate carding, spinning, and weaving throughout the day. And McKay Farm Animal Menagerie will bring alpaca, emu, goats, and more animals for the community to meet. 

 

Other local farms, artists, and craftspeople will also be present. Grilled cheeses from Cricket Creek Farm, burgers from Sweet Brook Farm and bakery items from Two Bears Bakery will be available for purchase.

 

Admission costs are $5 individual /$10 family for members, and $6/$12 for non-members. Visitors who arrive by bicycle get in free. Also admission is free for those purchasing a new WRL membership at the gate.  

 

All are welcome to enter their admission tickets in a Sheep to Shawl raffle for a "locally produced" prize basket. Proceeds from the Sheep to Shawl festival support Williamstown Rural Lands and its public programming.

 

Parking is available at the highway pull-off just north of the entrance to Sheep Hill and at Mezze.