Betty's Favorite Fiber Festivals

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival, held Mother's Day Weekend, every year...For 2007 that means May 12th and 13th, at Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, Contoocook (near Concord), N.H. 130 vendors, demos, classes, shearing, border collies, sheep, 4H show... .www.yankeeshepherd.org

Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair is held Memorial Day weekend every year...For 2007 that means May 26th and 27th, at Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, Mass. (Berkshires area): a bit smaller, but just as good, lots of sheep, big sheep show (mainly meat sheep), often llamas, camel, goats, other exotics... www.MASHEEPWOOL.org.

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival is held the second weekend in September, usually, having moved from October a couple of years ago. For 2007 that means September 8th and 9th, at the Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct., Vermont (near Burlington): again, a smaller show, maybe 90 vendors, but many breeds of sheep (mostly fleece breeds and dual purpose breeds, not meat sheep), classes, demos, border collie demos, llama obstacle course... .www.vermontsheep.org/festival/html