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What’s New for 2022 at Idaho’s Iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival

What's New for 2022 at Idaho's Iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Sept 26, 2022 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2022 AT IDAHO’S ICONIC TRAILING OF THE SHEEP FESTIVAL” 

Unique Cultural Festival Celebrates Sheep, Land, People and Stories 

Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century and are an integral part of Idaho’s heritage. The iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, October 5 – 9, 2022,  celebrates the sheep, herders, history, and food, of this unique cultural tradition, with the event recognized as one of the “Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World” by msn.com.

Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival honors the 150+ year annual tradition of moving sheep (‘trailing’) from high mountain summer pastures down through the Valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. This annual migration is living history and the focus of a unique and authentic Festival that celebrates the people, arts, cultures, and traditions of Idaho’s sheep ranching families, highlighting the principal contributors – the Basques, Scottish and Peruvians.

The five-day Festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues – history, folk arts, a Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, a Wool Festival with classes and workshops, music, dance, storytelling, championship Sheepdog Trials and, the always entertaining, Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum.

2022 Festival Highlights include: 

  • Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep trailing down Main Street in Ketchum
  • Championship Sheepdog Trials featuring over 110 of the county’s most talented border collies and their handlers competing for top awards. NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR! 
  • Sheep Folklife Fair featuring the Basque, Scottish, and Peruvian dancers and musicians, sheep shearing demonstrations, over 80 sheep and wool product vendors, children’s activities and more
  • Sheep Tales Gathering will present Voices from the Land – Unique Stories of Women in Ranching, featuring women ranchers from three prominent Western sheep ranches. NEW PROGRAM THIS YEAR!
  • Culinary Events with the For the Love of Lamb tastings, Lamb Fest at the Folklife Fair, cooking with lamb classes, and Farm to Table Lamb Dinners. NEW OPTIONS FOR LAMB FEST THIS YEAR!
  • Wool Fest featuring ten different classes and workshops 
  • Hikes and Histories featuring Idaho’s sheep ranchers and renowned storytellers
  • Happy Trails Closing Party in the Ketchum Town Square with food and live music 

For the detailed schedule, tickets, and lodging deals, visit www.trailingofthesheep.org

trailingofthesheep.org(opens in a new tab)

The 2022 Trailing of the Sheep Festival’s Big Sheep Parade is sponsored by the City of Ketchum.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2022

SHEEP DOG TRIALS – NEW LOCATION

The Trailing of the Sheep Festival Championship sheepdog trials have a new location this year, in a large field just off Buttercup Road north of Indian Creek Road in Hailey. The development of Quigley Canyon precipitated the move, which presented a challenge for event organizers. Fortunately, a site was secured for his year, but a new location of at least 30 acres will need to be found to accommodate the trials in future years. 

Directions: From the north or the south on Highway 75/Main Street in Hailey, head East on McKercher Boulevard via the stoplight on Main Street. Travel approximately .5 mile from Main Street to Buttercup Road. Turn left (north) on Buttercup Road at the stop sign intersection of McKercher Boulevard and Buttercup Road. Travel approximately 1.5 miles on Buttercup Road and you will see the Trials event set-up on the east side of the road. Follow signage, team and volunteers who will direct you to the parking area.

SHEEP TALES GATHERING – NEW PROGRAM FEATURING WOMEN RANCHERS

Storytelling is a key aspect of the Trailing of the Sheep Festival’s mission to educate,  inform and celebrate the heritage of sheep ranching in the West. This year’s Sheep Tales Gathering will present unique stories from four different women ranchers in the West -Marcia Barinaga of Barinaga Ranch, Julie Hansmire of Campbell Hansmire Sheep, LLC, and Andrée & Bianca Soares of Talbott Sheep Co.

Marcia’s ranching story is steeped in her family’s Basque heritage, starting a ranch on her own in California. What began as a dairy farm, has now transitioned into one that produces fiber. Alongside Marcia will be Julie’s story of continuing the family ranch after losing her husband. Although a hard-working rancher by day (and often night!) Julie tries to make time for a life outside of ranching in Colorado. Also, not to be missed are the stories of the mother/daughter team of Andrée and Bianca, who manage the family’s commercial sheep and goat business, sharing a commitment to both targeted grazing and protecting the land from the threat of wildfire. This conversation will be moderated by multi-generation Idaho rancher, Mike Guerry.

Details: Friday, October 7, 2022, The Argyros, 120 Main Street South – Ketchum, 7:00pm, $25.00. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, or at the door if still available.

LAMB FEST LUNCH AT SHEEP FOLKLIFE FAIR 

This year, Folklife Fair goers will be able to purchase food directly from the local vendors instead of getting food tickets and waiting in long lines. Enjoy delicious and creative American Lamb dishes prepared by local chefs and restaurants. This event benefits the Trailing of the Sheep Festival with unique American Lamb specials. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks will also be available for purchase. 2022 Participants include:

  • Ciclo of Sun Valley – serving Lamb Chili & Quesabirria (Lamb Stew Meat in a Quesadilla)
  • KB’s – serving Lamb Tacos & Cheese Quesadillas
  • Serva Peruvian Cuisine – serving Seco de Cordero (Peruvian Lamb Stew)
  • Sun Valley Culinary Institute – serving Lamb Tostadas with Queso Panela, Rajas, and Roasted Tomato Salsa & Mushroom Reuben, Slaw, 1000 Island and Swiss
  • Al’s Wood River Sustainability Center – serving Lamb Gyros

Beverage Sponsors: Albertsons, Pepsi, Proud Source, Warfield. Cuisine sponsors: American Lamb Board, Superior Farms.

FOR THE LOVE OF LAMB RESTAURANTS

One of the most popular events during the Festival is the Friday evening For the Love of Lamb event. Experience the best in American Lamb baaa-ites from some of the top restaurants in the Wood River Valley. Tastings start at 4:30pm and will end when all the bites are gone (which is about 5:30pm!) Many participating establishments (see list below) will have beverages for sale. You can also visit the Lobby of The Argyros for refreshments. Purchase For The Love of Lamb passports for $25 in advance online, which will have all the details and locations.

·         Barrio 75 + Tequila Lounge – serving Chorizo De Borrega Tacos’ Guajillo Spiced Lamb Chorizo, Citrus Chili Cotija, Charred Corn + Cucumber Pico, Fresh Mint, Crunchy Shell. 

·         Enoteca – Lamb Tagine with Cous Cous and Yogurt

·         In the Kitchen with Sydney LLC – Lamb Arayes with tomato salsa – spiced ground lamb cooked in a pita with a dipping sauce

·         Limelight Hotel Lounge – Lamb Empanadas

·         Raspberry’s – Lamb Barbacoa Carnitas

·         Romina’s Restaurant – Braised Leg of Lamb in a Mascarpone Creamy Polenta Home Grown Plumb Madera Sage Wine

·         Saffron Indian Cuisine – Tandoori Lamb with Mint Chutney and Lacha Onion Salad

·         Serva Peruvian Cuisine – Seco de Cordero (Peruvian Lamb Stew)

·         Silver Fox Catering – Lamb Keftedes with Apricot Chutney

·         Tater Trailer – Espelette Pepper Braised Lamb Shoulder and Fingerling Potato Skewers

·         The Sawtooth Club – Senegalese Curried Lamb

LAMB SPECIALS AROUND TOWN 

The Festival did not schedule any programming on Saturday evening this year so that Festival attendees could enjoy an evening of dining at local area restaurants, many of which will be offering special lamb dishes throughout the Festival. It will be a busy weekend, so reservations are recommended.

PRE-PARADE SHEEP PHOTOGRAPHY OUTING IS NO LONGER OFFERED 

This activity became untenable since it attracted too many people and became an issue for the safety of the sheep and the people. And this year, no sheep are anticipated in that area at that time.

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About the Trailing of the Sheep Festival

The Trailing of the Sheep Festival has also garnered some well-deserved accolades over the years, including being recognized as one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World by msn.com travelTop Ten US Fall Festivals by smartertravel.com, Top Animal Festivals in the World and Top Ten Fall Festivals by USA Today, Top 7 Fun Fall Festivals by AARP,  One of the Greatest Cultural Events in the West by Northwest Travel, and recipient of the Society of American Travel Writer’s Phoenix Award for best in cultural tourism, and the  Idaho Governor’s Award for Cultural Heritage.

Media Contacts:  

Laura Musbach Drake, Director, Trailing of the Sheep Festival, 208.720.0585, laura@trailingofthesheep.org

Carol Waller, Festival PR, CW Communications, 208.720.3965, carol@cw-communications.com

IMAGES TO DOWNLOAD FOR MEDIA USE HERE: https://trailingofthesheep.org/news-media/media/