2024 Schedule
Friday, July 12, 2024
Sheep Trail Tours
A self-driving tour will be available in the Festival program for those interested in seeing local features and ranches throughout the weekend.
Sustainable Sheep Grazing Workshop
Registration for the Sustainable Sheep Grazing in the Intermountain West Workshop will be available soon. Please stay tuned for more information.
Art & woolcraft opening reception- opens 5:30 pm
Come see the beautiful curation of art and woolcrafts at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. The show has been professionally juried, but some of the prizes are up to you and your families: People's and Children's Choice Awards (to be given out at the Sheepherders Come Bye on Saturday evening). Visit a working sheep camp just outside, while taking in the aroma of fresh roasted lamb! Hors d'ouevres will be served (fresh roasted lamb, veggies, fruits, and cheeses; cash bar). These works of art will be available for silent auction on Saturday evening, during the Sheepherders Come Bye.
Historical Sheepherder panel- Begins at 6:30 pm
While walking through the beautiful works of art, enjoying fresh roasted lamb, listen to a multi-generational panel of Wyoming Sheepherders reminisce on the past, discuss the present, and gaze into the future of the sheep industry. Moderated by author, artist, & sheep rancher, Cat Urbigkit. Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds.
Saturday, July 13th, 2024
Vendor Fair- 9 am - 4 pm
Keep scrolling to check out the vendors that will be at the Festival in 2024. Click on the links to check out their websites and/or social media. To become a vendor, click here. Some of our vendors will be holding demonstration (spinning, rug hooking, etc.) while others will have educational displays or shops. Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. See Vendor Info Below!
MSSA Stock Dog Trials- 9 am (all day)
The 2024 Wyoming Sheep & Wool Festival is happy to announce our official Mountain
States Stock Dog Association sanctioned trial. For more information and registration,
please click here.
Lamb, It's What's For dinner
Art & Woolcraft exhibition- 9 am- 5pm
Continue to gaze upon the beautiful curation of art and woolcrafts at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds! The show has been professionally juried, but two of the prizes are up to you and your families: People's and Children's Choice Awards (to be given out at the Sheepherders Come Bye on Saturday evening). Scout out your purchases for the silent auction that will also take place at the Come Bye!
Wool Learning Kiosk & Handspinning Fleece Auction
Wool is the miracle fiber, and Wyoming is the "wine country" of wool. Understanding
wool quality requires understanding its various characteristics. Learn and test your
knowledge with a variety of wool types. and bring your own wool samples for analysis!
Better yet, take home some great fleeces for all your hand-spinning and fiber art needs
at the silent auction. Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. Those
wishing to consign fleeces to the silent auction, please consign here.
Sheepherders Come Bye Awards Dinner- 6- 8 pm
Join us for a night to remember! Your ticket includes a tasty lamb dinner and access to the cash bar. The Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming Wool Initiative will be handing out their annual awards as well as the awards for the Art and Woolcraft exhibition. Sponsored by the Wyoming Wool Initiative. This is a TICKETED event. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2024. Location: Hot Springs County fairgrounds.
Dance with live music from Kellen Smith- 8- 10 pm
Let loose and wear your dancing shoes! Following the Sheepherders Come Bye; no ticket required. Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Vendor Fair- 9 am - 4 pm
Keep scrolling to check out the vendors that will be at the Festival in 2023. Click on the links to check out their websites and/or social media. To become a vendor, click here. Some of our vendors will be holding demonstration (spinning, rug hooking, etc.) while others will have educational displays or shops. Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. See Vendor Info Below!
WWGA Festival Committee Meeting
WWGA Board Meeting
ABOUT
Enjoy a celebration of sheep and wool in the heart of Wyoming
EXPERIENCE
Experience Thermopolis, Wyoming like only a sheepherder can! We will take you through real sheep ranches with the sheep and the herders themselves. Then come back to town and enjoy food, art, and education about the amazing and historical sheep industry in the great state of Wyoming.
LOCATION
Thermopolis, Wyoming
Vendor Line Up- 2024
Read below for more information about the WY Sheep & Wool Festival Vendor, their products, and programs:
Pretty Pelts: The Wyoming Wool Growers Association is the statewide organization for Wyoming sheep and wool producers and is the lead sponsor of the Wyoming Sheep & Wool Festival. Stop by the WWGA booth to pick up a membership application, ask questions, or purchase a beautiful sheep pelt, wool wax creams and lotions, and many other American sheep/wool products.
Get to Know Wool: The University of Wyoming Wool Initiative will host a hands-on wool assessment in its vendor space. Stop by and test your wool judging skills!
Support the Foundation: The Wyoming SHEEP Foundation was founded by Wyoming Wyoming Wool Growers Association as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to preserve and promote our state’s sheep industry heritage. The Wyoming Sheep & Wool Festival is a project that fits right into the mission of the of the SHEEP Foundation as revealed int the acronym “SHEEP” which stands for “Sheep Heritage, Education and Environment Projects.”
Visit the Lambs! Stop by the bum pen to meet the lambs that will be available for snuggling, nibbling on your fingers, or falling asleep in your lap. “Bum” lambs are orphans, meaning that they have become separated from their mothers and are being raised on bottles.
Autographed Books: Cat Urbigkit is an award-winning author and photographer who writes nonfiction books for both children and adults from a Wyoming sheep ranch. Cat will be signing and selling books in The Shepherd’s booth.
Wild West Rug Hooking Demonstration: Join Sylvia and her group as they demonstrate how to hook wool rugs in this educational booth!
Sylvia's: Sylvia will also have a vendor booth with hand dyed wool fabric, yarn, fiber, and hand made soap.
Spinning and Weaving Demonstration: Join Coral as she demonstrates how to spin fiber into yarn and then create beautiful textiles through weaving!
Foot Hills Eclectic Design: Your chance to purchase beautiful hand made products made from wool! Check out Sandra's page to view some of her beautiful designs that you just might be able to purchase at the Festival!
U.S. Forest Service: The Forest Service stewards an impressive portfolio of landscapes across 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in the public trust. The agency’s top priority is to maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of current and future generations. Forest management focuses on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health.
Hanging Z: Wyoming made Mohair cinches.
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@WYSheepandWoolFest
our sponsors- click on icons for more info!
Partial funding by Wyoming Humanities Council
Supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming cultural trust fund, a program of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
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More Information
WY Sheep & Wool FESTIVAL 2024
Ever wanted to learn more about the history of sheep and wool in Wyoming while experiencing the culture and beauty of the state? Join us this summer for a celebration of all things sheep and Wyoming!
Visit the tabs throughout the website to view the Festival Schedule, learn more information about sponsors, vendors, educational programs, and so much more!
Come visit us in Thermopolis, WY in 2024!
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