Send fleeces to arrive on or before Friday, Nov. 6, or bring them to the Mallary Complex, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Include the date shorn, breed of animal and producer information. The Fiber Festival of New England, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 is indoors at the Mallary Complex at Eastern States Exposition. Co-produced by the Exposition and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association, the sixth annual event promotes the use of wool and other natural fibers and related products to the general public.
Deb Hopkins, Nancy Miniter and Robin Meek, NorthEast Youth Sheep Show committee. Robin, at right, is on the FFNE committee. Behind them is just part of the fleece sale from a previous FFNE.
More than 150 exhibitors will showcase the beautiful products during the event – from incredible yarns, felting supplies, spinning wheels, looms, tote bags, finished sweaters, hats, mittens, gloves, baby items, supplies to quilts, patterns, books. More than 200 vendor booths, live llamas, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and goats. And the fleece sale. Should you be yearning to learn how to spin, this is the place to ask, try a drop spindle or a spinning wheel and ask all the questions you wish.
It’s all indoors, warm and cozy, with walkable flat surfaces. (Yes, restrooms and family-friendly changing areas too.) Admission, $7; free for children 12 and younger. Fee for parking.
For more information about the fleece sale or the event, call (413) 205-5011 or e-mail aginfo@TheBigE.com. For workshops see this link.