Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, Inc.

103rd Annual Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Rain or Shine
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tolland Agricultural Center
Route 30, Vernon/Rockville, CT

The Connecticut Sheep, Wool and Fiber Festival celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009 and we are off to a great start for our next century.  The festival,  started in 1909 by the CT Sheep Breeders Association, as a program “to promote the keeping of sheep in Connecticut”, has evolved and expanded into a premier sheep and fiber festival by providing exhibits, demonstrations and over 60 vendors from the sheep, wool and fiber arena.  This event is a delightful agricultural and learning experience for the general public as well as shepherds and fiber enthusiasts.  Exhibits and activities include: sheep exhibits, shearing demonstrations; vendors, fleece sale, educational lectures; wool skirting, a sheep dog trial, fleece to shawl contest, kids' corner, knitting instruction, food, vendors, festival logo shirts, music, vendors and fun.

It's never too early to Contact us if you would like to volunteer to assist with our Festival!

Information for 2012 Vendors

Applications for the Festival are sent out via e-mail in January to previous vendors for first refusal.  New vendors are considered in February. Since our space is very limited we, as a Connecticut sheep organization, have made the decision to try and support CSBA members and Connecticut sheep/fiber producers when considering the new applications.

Information below is from last year and is left here for reference.

2011 Program Trifold (pdf)

2011 Program (pdf)



2011 Festival contacts

Contact the appropriate person below for entry forms, rules, or information.

Event Co-chairs

Kevin Woolam (860) 559-3537    email

Cathy Andresen (860) 639-9196   email

Vendors

Tracy Zulick, DVM   email     View list of 2011 vendors

Workshops and Seminars

Rick Trojanoski (860) 759-9334  email

Sheep Dog Trial: Behind Green Barn

Trial Managers: Carolyn West & Anne Devine

CSBA Liason:  Sylvia Murray (860) 303-7940   email

Fleece Sale: Red Barn: All Day

No entry fees or commissions for CSBA members!!

$5.00 entry fee/fleece for non members (Membership $20.00)

Drop-off Friday by appointment only or Saturday 8 - 9 AM

Anne McIntyre-Lahner (203) 458-3070  email

2011 Fleece Sale Instructions    2011 Fleece Sale Registration

2011 Fleece Sale Card

NEW FOR 2011 - Fiber Arts Contests

We have added Fiber Arts Contests this year, Handspun Yarn Skeins, Wool Handicrafts, I Made It With Wool!, and 2 Spinning Bee contests. Download the specific information from the link up above or contact Regina Malsbary (860) 742-5483

A Quick Guide to the Festival Grounds:      

Elliot Building– Seminars, NO ANIMALS ALLOWED

Gold Building– Shepherds’ Café, vendors, NO ANIMALS ALLOWED

Green Barn– Vendors & Livestock

Gunther Field– Sheep Dog Trial

Pavilion– CSBA Vending, Music

Red Barn– Vendors, Seminars & Livestock

White Barn– Vendors, Seminars 

Shopping All buildings except Elliot: Vendors will be selling fiber & yarn, crafts, livestock supplies, soap, jewelry, spinning and weaving supplies and a variety of other items.

Gold Building-All Day

Shepherds' Cafe- Enjoy hot drinks, orange juice, bagels & donuts in the AM. Lunch items include lamb and beef burgers, hotdogs, delicious lamb stew, vegetarian chili and pasta salad! Plus an endless supply of fresh brewed coffee, soda and water.

Outdoor Events Listed by Location

Gunther Field

Sheep Dog Trial - Rain or Shine from 9am until all dogs have run - most often lasts all day long!

Pavilion

Music–Fiddleheads will be performing Celtic & Folk music live from 11-2.

Shepherds’ Café Annex – Bottled drinks (no food).

Festival T Shirts - While Supplies Last - proceeds benefit our                         association ($15)

CSBA Lapel Pins - Logo lapel pins, perfect for your hat or lapel ($3)

CSBA Farm Signs – Vinyl coated aluminum signs with logo ($25)

The Connecticut Blanket & Door Prize- Beautiful, cozy blankets, custom woven with wool from Connecticut Farms, will be for sale. Entry forms for the blanket door prize available at the CSBA table. One entry per family.

Drawing 3 PM

Kids Korner: Windham Woolies 4-H Club will be hosting this place for children to explore many fiber activities and just have fun playing games.

Activities in the White Barn

The White Barn will host workshops on Specialized Spinning, Desirable Characteristics of Prize Winning Wool Skeins and Garments, and Needle Felting as well as a demonstration on dyeing wool. See the Flyer for times.

Workshops in the Elliot Building

Dr. Mary Jane Lis, DVM, State Veterinarian will be present from 10-11 to answer questions you might have and to explain the 2011 livestock regulations pertaining to sheep.

A Wool Quality Workshop will be presented by members of the Connecticut Blanket Project. This workshop meets the requirements for members wishing to participate in the project. You may bring one of your fleeces.

Activities in the Red Barn

 The Red Barn will have demonstrations on Sheep Shearing, Wool Skirting, Loom Weaving and the use of English Hand Combs during the day. There will be Spinning Bees at 10:30 & 2 and other scheduled events such as Angora rabbit care, an I Made it with Wool! Contest, Sheep 101, and How to Select a Fleece for Hand Spinning. See the flyer for times.

UCONN Cooperative System

The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is a statewide, informal education system within the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Cooperative Extension educational programs and problem-solving assistance are based on the research of land-grant universities such as the University of Connecticut.

Cooperative Extension programs are delivered throughout Connecticut in one-on-one sessions, workshops, short courses, and demonstrations, and via satellite teleconference, print publications, videotapes, radio, newspaper, periodicals and the Internet. Educational programs and materials cover a wide range of subjects, with emphasis on animal health and agriculture, family, community, 4-H Youth development, food, nutrition, food safety, natural resources, land use, environment, plant agriculture, horticulture, and gardening.

Connecticut Cooperative Extension employees are located at the main campus in Storrs and in eight county Extension Centers. These eight centers are located in Fairfield County, Hartford County, Litchfield County, Middlesex County, New Haven County, New London County, Tolland County, and Windham County.

Extension Email           Extension Website

DIRECTIONS

The Tolland Agricultural Center is only a few minutes off of I-84 on Route 30 in Vernon/Rockville, CT.

FROM HARTFORD: Take I-84 East to Exit 67. At the bottom of the ramp turn left on to Rte. 31. Go a short distance to the junction with Rte 30. Turn right on to Rte 30 East and TAC will be 1/8 mile on your right.

FROM BOSTON: Take I-84 West to Exit 67. At the bottom of the ramp turn right on to Rte. 31. Go a short distance to the junction with Rte. 30. Turn right on to Rte 30 East and TAC will be 1/8 mile on your right.

On site parking fee of $5.00 per car.

No Dogs Allowed On Grounds except permitted service dogs for the disabled & Trial Dogs in designated area only.