The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival hardly needs an introduction, as it is very much an institution, at this point, as the largest festival of it’s kind in the US. Over 40 years of festivals in sun, rain, and snow have culminated in the event as it exists today – part outdoors Spring outing, part legendary shopping extravaganza, part creative arts think tank, part sheep (and wool) farming guide, and part fiber arts knowledge exchange. What always strikes me most about this festival is the thing that struck me my first year attending: it is full of artisans who are experts in their extremely niche (and in our 21st Century, very under-the-radar) fields, who are creating immaculately crafted, made-to-last, and made-to-bring-joy, functional products. There are artists- in the true sense of the word- of many kinds. There are sheep shearers, weavers, basket makers, wood turners, herders, horticulturalists, viniculturalists, musicians, painters, fiber dyers, spinners, metal craftsmen, knitters, and of course the broom makers. Every person at this festival has a story, is part of a heritage, has an amazing machine/ technique/ handmade artifact/ animal, that is many generations older than they are, that is rare, that has come through personal experience, that is unique.
Regardless of whatever initially brings you out to the festival, once you’re there and that first thing has caught your eye and then your attention, it’s nearly impossible to be standing in the middle of it all, and not be excited about the general feeling that you are part of this tidal wave of humanity who are keeping the traditions of the past alive while charging forward into the future with all the rush of technology, and the artisan banner held high. At least, that’s how it feels to me.
I love this festival.
This year, as always, I bought some things. I got my traditional basket, and my traditional wood spindle (and yes, I do stop to wonder how much longer I will be able to keep up those traditions, if those particular vendors will still be crafting and selling their wares). The particulars of my purchases aren’t worth going into, as nearly everybody who walks through the gates finds the most. amazing. thing! Besides, my finds will be posted in later updates as I get working on the projects… This year, most of my focus was on having a good time introducing my family to this festival, as they (voluntarily!) offered to attend for the first time ever since I’ve been going.
Another highlight was hearing Judith McKenzie talk about the History of Wool on Sunday afternoon. What was so meaningful to me about her talk, was as much the sheer knowledge she presented, direct from her experience as a rancher, spinner and knitter, and dye-er, as it was that her talk was so obviously unscripted. Her lecture wasn’t quite as rambling as a true, at-the-moment remembrance, yet wasn’t anywhere near as formal or planned as a scholarly presentation. At the same time, she presented knowledge at a university level. I may have taken notes. …on my cell phone. …while knitting, with my new purchases…
I was having such a great time that the only photos I took (with my cell phone, because I brought my camera and charged the battery only to discover that I left my SD card in the computer, again) were of the momentous occasion of happening across a one day old lamb at the booth of the outdoor vendors.
It’s going to take me weeks to mentally process all that went on – from my mother’s showing up with a stomach bug (oh, port-a-johns) and my aunt “losing” her cell phone in the parking lot for an hour and a half (it was in the trunk of her car), to the strangers I befriended in various booths (thanks for the pattern, Dee O’Keefe!), and the tools I bought (kudos to the Bosworths for honoring my down-to-the-deadline spindle request), and all the many ideas that started churning just from seeing so many beautiful options. As always, it was a weekend to remember.
