by Sarabeth Parido
As the summer begins, we want to thank all of our volunteers, sponsors and attendees of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival. The 13th annual festival, held on May 20-21, 2023, attracted an impressive crowd of more than 3000 people. Even with the rain Saturday morning, our die hard fiber enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious visitors flocked to Masterson Station Park to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and discover the wonders of the festival.
One of the festival's highlights was its comprehensive lineup of educational workshops and demonstrations. Industry experts and skilled artisans conducted interactive sessions, providing attendees with valuable insights and knowledge about animal husbandry, fiber processing, spinning, knitting, and dyeing techniques. We saw a large increase in workshop attendance and are already excited to plan for next year!
The Festival is only the beginning of the fiber activities going on in the area this season. The Kentucky Fiber Trail, along with its numerous members, is proud to host our second annual Bluegrass Yarn and Fiber Crawl from July 28 to August 6, 2023. Immerse yourself in the celebration and exploration of the finest fiber venues within the commonwealth region.
Our Yarn and Fiber Crawl is an effort to showcase the extraordinary essence of the Kentucky Fiber Trail, we extend an invitation to individuals, shop owners, fiber producers, and studio proprietors across the Bluegrass region to participate and exhibit their exceptional contributions.
Throughout the course of the 9-day crawl, each location on the trail will establish their own operating hours. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to delve into the world of fibers and textiles. For additional details on how to participate in our Bluegrass Yarn and Fiber Crawl, please visit our website at www.kentuckyfibertrail.com/byfc. Yarn map, visitors guide and passports will be available June 15th.
Sarabeth Parido, is the Director of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival and The Kentucky Fiber Trail. She raises her own small flock of sheep in Clark County, Kentucky along with her husband and four sons.
The Fiber Festival was really good. If you have never attended one, make plans for next year.