Trailing of the Sheep Festival 2024 in Idaho

The Wood River Valley in south-central Idaho is often called the Basque country since it's home to the largest Basque community in the United States. It also shares with Spain's region the pastoral scenery of mountains and sheep. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival is the highlight of the fall season in the area and is usually held in mid-October. The festival showcases herding and ranching traditions of the Wood River Valley, which dates back to the 1860s.

Big Sheep Parade (October 6, 2024)

The main attraction of the Trailing of the Sheep Festival is the Big Sheep Parade, held at noon on Sunday along Ketchum's Main Street near the resort town of Sun Valley. Visitors can witness the incredible sight of over 1,500 sheep migrating to winter pastures through downtown, cheered on by thousands of spectators. The sheep travel from the Smokey Mountains, at the head of the South Fork of the Boise River, across the Wood River Valley, and north into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. In addition to the sheep, the parade features sheep wagons and Folklife Fair performers in national costumes. The parade is free and open to the public.

Schedule of Events

The five-day Trailing of the Sheep Festival offers a rich array of activities, including music, dancing, wool classes, delicious lamb meals, sheepdog trials, and the Folklife Fair, held at McKercher Park in Hailey from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair features demonstrations of sheep shearing, displays of sheep wagons, Kids’ Fluff crafts, and spinning and weaving demonstrations by artisans. Traditional performers provide music and dancing, and over 80 vendors offer unique arts and crafts alongside great food and beverages. An operating shearing station showcases how sheep are sheared, while Basque, Peruvian, Polish, and Scottish folklore groups in traditional outfits perform continuously to entertain the crowds. Most events at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival are free of charge.

Highlighted events include Knit & Needle Sheep Hat, Candygram Cowl, Long Wool Locks Collar/Shawl with Power Tools, En Plein Air Tapestry Weaving, and the Sheep Tales Gathering. The festival concludes with a Closing Party on Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm at Ketchum Town Square. This event is free of charge. Additional exhibits are available at various locations, including the Blaine County Historical Museum, The Chamber in Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley, The Community Library, Wood River Museum of History & Culture, and Hailey Public Library.

History of Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Sheep have long provided food and fiber, with their introduction to the western U.S. by the Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival began as a small gathering to share the tradition of trailing sheep through the Wood River Valley. Celebrating its 28th year in 2024, the Festival aims to preserve the stories of sheep ranchers, celebrate cultural heritage, and educate about local food and fiber production. It has received accolades such as Top Ten Fall Festivals by USA Today and National Geographic.