Kentucky sheep and fiber festival celebrates 15th year

By Blake Jackson

Over the weekend, Lexington's Masterson Station Park was buzzing with activity as the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival returned for its 15th year. Attendees flocked from across the county to experience this unique celebration of all things fiber.

The festival offers something for everyone, from curious newcomers to seasoned crafters. "We've got live animals, yarn, and fiber – everything you need to go from sheep all the way to a finished shawl, right here at the park," shared Sarabeth Parido, the festival's director and a former attendee herself.

Parido's own journey from enthusiastic visitor to festival director highlights the festival's ability to spark new passions. "Being here really opened up a whole new world for me," she says. "Now I raise sheep on my farm, and I knit, spin – I keep learning new crafts thanks to this event!"

Workshops are a major draw, offering instruction on everything from basic knitting and crocheting to intricate stitches and specialty items. Visitors also have the chance to meet and support over 60 vendors, like Helena Bristow of Oink Pigments.

Bristow, a long-time festival attendee who travels from Indianapolis, explains, "We sell things like raw fleece. It's what gets processed and dyed after the sheep are shorn."

But for Bristow, the festival goes beyond commerce. It's about connecting with fellow fiber enthusiasts, she says. "It's a wonderful community, and making sales is just a bonus."

This year's festival also introduced a new initiative: "Destash for Good." The program collects donated leftover fibers, needles, and crochet hooks, giving them a second life in after-school programs and memory care facilities.

Photo Credit: istock-heebyj