You will unlikely find a better place to see all different breeds of sheep at one place than The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, the longest-running wool industry event held every May at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, Maryland. With over 250 vendors and 600 sheep on display, there is a lot to see for two days. Vendors offer many different kinds of wool yarn. Over 30 breeds of sheep and other fibre-producing livestock such as goats, angora rabbits, llamas, and alpaca are also for sale. The festival attracts about 70,000 attendees.
The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival was first held in 1973. Supported by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association the festival promotes sheep breeding and wool production. In addition to 40 seminars and various industry events, the festival features a sheep to shawl contest, a parade of sheep breeds, border collie demonstrations, and live music entertainment.
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival also features lots of delicious food. There is an extraordinary variety of lamb dishes like lamb sausages and burgers, gyros. Professional chefs and amateurs participate in cooking contests and demonstrations.
