March 31, 2023
Well, that was pretty amazing - we had 2,000 people come to our shearing event, including lots and lots of kids.
As I said to our shearer – “Thank you! That was a whole lot of people who got to see firsthand how completely unfazed the sheep were by being shorn.”
I heard comments from the crowd like;
“The one being shorn is falling asleep!”
“It’s like a day at the spa.”
“They are calmer than my dog is when it’s getting groomed.”
And so on.
As if trying to keep track of the 5 newborn lambs while their moms were being shorn, wasn’t enough to deal with - 5 additional lambs were born during the event. They were all very healthy and we were happy- but it definitely added to the chaos.
Getting all our sheep in one location, building the shearing pens, and breaking it all down after the event is a huge amount of work but as an educational tool, it was priceless.
Our usual shearer Colin stayed home in Vermont and his partner Siri came instead. They are two peas in a pod - skilled, gentle, and professional. We took time between each sheep being sheared to explain and answer questions. Siri easily answered questions regarding shearing and the health benefits/necessity of removing the wool from the sheep. Anne and I answered questions about our farm, our sheep, and what happens to the fiber after it’s shorn. Roberta, of Fido’s Fiber, was next to our shearing pen demonstrating the rest of the process “from sheep to shawl”. And of course, up at the Museum there were 20+ vendors demonstrating their own techniques and skills.
Our vision for the event was that it would be educational, authentic, and celebratory. Personally, I’d say it was hugely successful!
We will likely do it again next spring, which gives me a year to practice saying “Siri the Sheep Shearer” over and over again, without sounding like a drunken fool. It might be easier, though, if I just change her name for the day and call her Maude.