This weekend our adventures took us to Rhinebeck, New York for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. You may ask why, since we have a barn full of sheep and wool in abundance. I think you will see as I take you along for the ride.
On a beautiful fall day our trip takes us through one of the most scenic places in New York, the Catskills. From our home in Skaneateles we will travel the 213 mile trip through hills and valley as the leaves are turning shades of yellow, red and orange. A stop at the famous Roscoe Diner on Route 17 was a must. Even though we had breakfast less then 2 hours before, we shared a chicken sandwich and the biggest piece of Coconut Cream pie I had even seem. In a hurry to dig in I forgot to take a picture of it.
The Roscoe Diner was built in 1964 and is considered to be one of the busiest and most well known restaurants along Route 17. Although Roscoe is a small town with a population of less than 600 at the time of the 2000 census, the diner served anywhere between several hundred and a thousand meals each day at its peak although numbers have declined in recent years due to a decline in trout fishing, the region's main draw.
Even if your not hungry I'm sure you can fit in a piece of their pie.
Our first stop was Rhinebeck, New York and one of the oldest building in the village the Beekman Arms Inn. Built in 1700 it is reported to be the oldest inn in America and recently where Chelsea Clinton was married.
The village is doted with quaint gift shops and trendy clothing stores.
Tough decisions had to made as to where to eat for dinner. Terrapin Restaurant
I loved this stores window. Everything was in shades of purple and silver for Halloween. I bought some beautiful wrapping paper to decoupage.
And I can never pass up a antique store.
Next stop the New York Sheep and Wool Festival
The festival was first held in 1972. It is attended by knitters, crocheters, handspinners, and growers of natural-fiber-producing livestock. The livestock includes sheep, goats, angora rabbits, llamas, musk oxen, and alpacas. It is held in October of each year at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. In addition to the myriad vendors and demonstrations of fiber arts activities, the festival features several livestock competitions, sheepdog trials and a sheep to shawl contest.
We got a early start to the day.
The fleece sale is quite exciting to watch. It reminds me of the half price bridal gown sale at Filene's. All these women running in to get as many bags of raw wool has they could. Finding the one they have to have or trading with others.
Unfortunately, I can't find the time to knit or crochet like I use to. But I love, love, love, all the colors of the yarn.
We were amazed by the number of attendance and abundance of yarn and fiber at this event. Building after building were filled with fiber from all over the country.
Felting has become very popular. Look at these cute Seven Dwarfs. I think I may have time to do some felting.
Gary standing in line for a lamb burger. I still can't bring myself to do it.
Gary wasn't the only one.
This was in the Dutchess County Museum. I wish I could have a general store like this.
Women demonstrating how to hook a rug and weaver a scarf.
And then their are the sheep! All wool breeding sheep were represented at the festival.
Oxford
Horn Dorset
This was the reason why I wanted to come. Since we lost our Australian Cattle Dog, Maia in December I have been pushing Gary to get another dog. I think a trained, Border Collie would fit in well with our family of sheep. This beautiful dog named Peg was trained to herd sheep and ducks. They are smart,working, animals.
I think it will be spring time before we can get another dog. It's still hard to think of replacing Maia.
This is what I bought. I will use the roving wool for felting and I thought the book would be great for educating children about raising sheep when they come to the farm. I hope to post some pictures of some of my felting projects soon.
It was so exciting to see the number of women and men so enthusiastic about creating something out of fiber. Something that we nurture every day on the farm with our sheep.
