In honor of a long history of sheep herding in the Wood River Valley, the 14th Annual Trailing of the Sheep took place last weekend.
Friday offered classes that revolved around the many uses for sheep products. An hour-and-a-half-long cooking with lamb class taught by Ketchum Grill Owner and Chef, Scott Mason, sold out quickly. For residents and visitors in Hailey, classes on weaving, spinning and felting wool were also popular. The evening was filled by the Art and Lamb Foodie Fest, in which local artists displayed their work at restaurants around town while the restaurants served a variety of delicious lamb dishes.
Saturday gave way to the bustling Sheep Folklife Fair at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey. The fair showcased performances by Highlander and Basque groups as well as sheep-related craft booths and activities. Crafts for sale ranged from wool scarves and hats to lambskin boots and sheep-shaped soaps. Local restaurants dished up their favorite lamb meals and every half-hour crowds gathered around the sheep shearing demonstrations done by John and Paula Balderson. The fair brought visitors from across the state and also provided entertainment for local families. Even local favorites, such as historian and famously mustachioed, Ivan Swaner, made their appearances throughout the day.
Sunday marked the finals of the Sheep Dog Trials, which had begun early Saturday morning. Running from dawn until dusk both days, border collies and their owners demonstrated their skills at moving a group of sheep in a straight line, through three gates, splitting the herd and then moving them into a pen. To the delight of the audience, North American champion for 2010, Patrick Shannahan and his dog Riggs, made an appearance and competed at the trials Sunday.
The grand finale of the festival, the Trailing of the Sheep parade, took place on Main Street in Ketchum at noon Sunday. Many of the performers from the Saturday Fair marched alongside Footlight Dance Centre dancers, sheep wagons and colorfully dressed Peruvian dancers, who performance honored the historical role Peruvians have played in sheep herding. Parade attendees became a little restless as it became apparent the Peavey family’s 1,500 sheep were running on Ketchum time—i.e. a good bit late, but eventually the herd managed its way through downtown to receive its blessing from Father Ken Brannon and then on to a meadow to graze.
Post parade, the Irving’s Hill hosted a barbeque with banjo music and ranch-style grilling. And if attendees still hadn’t had their sheep fix, they could attend an afternoon hike to learn about sheepherder carvings and then ride the “sheep shuttle” with Ivan Swaner and John Peavey of the Flat Top Sheep Company, who answered questions about the history of the sheep herding.
Local things to buzz about this week:
The Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree Wednesday, Oct. 13 to Saturday, Oct. 16
See returning jazz band favorites and find some new ones at the swinging Dixie jazz performances at the Sun Valley resort. Entry badges range from $27 to $136. To see the band line up visit www.sunvalleyjazz.com.
Old Cutter’s Fall Family Festival Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 from 1-4 p.m.
Go to Old Cutter’s Park (west of Buttercup Road, at the end of South Hiawatha, just north of Hailey) for a day of fall family fun. Activities will include races, pumpkin painting, face painting, bobbing for apples and more. For more information call Coldwell Banker at 622-3400.
23rd Annual Hailey Library Used Book and Bake Sale Thursday, Oct. 14 to Sunday, Oct. 16
Support the Hailey Library by visiting their used book and bake sale in Alturas Plaza, across from Atkinson’s in Hailey. The sale will include hundreds of used books, DVDs, CDs and videos along with baked goods provided by the Friends of the Hailey Public Library. The sale runs Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with a grab bag special on the final day.
Bellevue Open Studios 2010
This Friday (3-9pm Opening Reception) and Saturday (11am to 5pm Studio Tour), the Green Antelope Gallery in Bellevue will be hosting the 3rd annual Oktoberfest in style. Offering a unique opportunity to tour some of the Valley’s finest artists studios and view demonstrations, the event will feature local artists: Martha Andrea, Nolina Burge Clifford Frates, Janet and Steven Houts, Sarah Long, Mark Sheehan, Kirsten Shultz, Marie Stewart, Pamela Street and Don Yeager. For more info please check out: www.greenantelope.com.
