The sheep are transported to the Art Center from all around Denmark and the surrounding towns in pickups and trailers ...
Temporary pens are set up to handle the flow thoughout the day. The sheep are held here before and after they are shorn individually.
Typical to sheep, they don't seem to mind any indignity as long as there is something to eat about.
Dan Eaton, and his wife Linda Whiting are two of the primary people instrumental in making Sheepfest happen each year. Here, Dan takes a sheep to the clipping tent.
Dan hands her over to the master sheerer...
who goes handily about his work while a young lady looks on...
The gentleman makes quick work of it and makes it look easy, but it is pretty hard work.
Each sheep is then given a hoof clipping if they need it and returned to the pen much lighter than when they began the day...
A crew of sheepfest volunteers pours over the fleece by hand to remove any non-fleecy stuff...
and each fleece is then bagged and is ready for the trade.
Lots of lambs are sold at Sheepfest as well. This young lady has a cute new friend.
Speaking of 'trade', inside the Art Center the floor is turned over to the craftsfolk to demonstrate and ply their trades. Lots of spinners were on the floor as usual...
Denmark Weaver Michael Kozel brought his loom to the floor this year.
There was some knitting going on as well.
and some wonderful hooked art works too.
A few kids enjoy another visitor's pup.
Any public gathering is a good time for fiddle music.
The Sheepfest mascots, Albert and Victoria stand by the front door to wish everyone who walks by a pleasant year in the pastures until next year's Sheepfest returns.
(All photos were taken with a Nikon D2h, available light, 24-120VR Nikkor or 50/1.8 Nikkor. Some were cropped and toned in PS.CS.)
2 comments:
Hi Mike... I just wanted to let you know a friend of mine came across your blog when looking up my father online. My father was Michael Kozel... the weaver in the blog post and your neighbor there in Denmark. You also photographed my wedding. I thought I would let you know, that this past weekend on Memorial day he passed away. He was in a bike accident on 302 in Windham. I just wanted to say how much I love this photo and that it was really nice to be able to see my father doing something he loved to do in a picture online for anyone to see if they go to look him up. Thank you so much, and blessed be Michelle Kozel
I remember you and your handfasting well Michelle. Michael was my neighbor as well and he will be missed. Please accept Tracey and my condolences and I am glad that this photo brings you happiness and honour to Michael's memory. Send me an email (Michael@GoodPhotos.com) and I will dig into the archives and see what resolution I have and make sure that you get a full resolution version of it to enjoy.
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