The Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place.
Crafts, music and demonstrations will be on offer this April at Gore Place.
(WALTHAM, MA) Gore Place will present its annual Sheepshearing Festival, one of New England’s most popular outdoor events, on Saturday, April 25 (rain or shine) from 10am to 5pm.
Thousands attend this event every year enjoying demonstrations of sheep shearing, watching border collies herd sheep, and shopping in one of the region’s best craft fairs.
This year, more than 70 crafts-people will offer handmade wares including a wide variety of hand-dyed wool, knitted and woven clothing, jewelry, wooden toys, stained-glass, and much more. Festival organizers have dedicated two large tents to fiber arts alone!
Shepherd Dave Kennard and his border collies are always among the main attractions. Once again, Dave will demonstrate how the collies control a flock of sheep by following a complex series of whistled commands. Every year, when the collies finally coax the flock through the obstacle course and into the pen, the audience gives the dogs a big round of applause!
Master shearer Kevin Ford will demonstrate the traditional way of shearing sheep with hand-shears. Kevin is one of the few shearers still practicing this art and it's a special think to see.
Musicians, historic re-enactors, a puppeteer, traditional dancers, and performers from Circus Smirkus will entertain crowds throughout the day. It’s a full day of activities for all ages!
Sponsors at press time include: The festival also receives support from The Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Admission to the festival will be $20 for adults. Children ages 12 and under and Gore Place members will be admitted free. An adult must accompany children 12 and under. There will be an additional charge for wagon rides and mansion tours.
Organizers ask that attendees leave their pets at home. There will be free on-site and satellite parking .
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Gore Place is accredited by the American Association of Museums and receives funding from the Mass Cultural Council.
