Every year, the popular Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates the century-and-a-half-old tradition of moving sheep from mountain summer pastures south through the Wood River Valley to traditional winter desert areas. This annual migration is not a re-enactment. Rather, it's living history and a weekend festival that highlights the people and traditions of sheep ranching in the West.
This year, the family-friendly event focuses on the unique and considerable influence of Peruvian people in sheep ranching throughout the West.
There will be traditional Basque lamb dinners, and, moreover, a weekend of stories and history of the Peruvian people, Central Idaho's most recent sheep herding families.
The festivities start today, Oct. 13, and run through Sunday, Oct.15.
Here is a schedule of primary events. For additional information or to see the full schedule, including ongoing events, visit www.trailingofthesheep.org, or pick up the Wednesday, Oct. 10, edition of the Mountain Express.
Friday, Oct. 12, 2007
- Cooking With Lamb: CK's Real Food restaurant, Corner of Pine and Main in Hailey, 1-2:30 p.m. Prominent local chef and owner of CK's, Chris Kastner, will discuss and demonstrate the secrets of preparing delectable lamb dishes. Advance reservations and $40 fee required at College of Southern Idaho: 208-788-2033
- Sheepherder Bread Making: Irving's Hill, corner of Main Street and Fourth streets, Ketchum, 3-5 p.m. Renowned camp cook Allan Laudert will lead a hands-on demonstration of the art of Dutch oven sheepherder bread-making. Free and open to the public
- Sheep Tales: "Living Our Parents' Dreams:" nexStage Theatre, 120 S. Main St. Ketchum, at 7:30 p.m. An evening with Tony Yapias, Advisor on Hispanic Affairs to Utah Governors and University of Utah Professor Armando Solorzano. The event brings together area residents, visitors, and sheep ranching families to share stories of Peruvian families and their western experiences. No charge.
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007
- Trailing of the Sheep art exhibit, Meet the Artists: The Center in Hailey, Corner of Second Avenue and Pine Street in Hailey, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Noted Retablo artist Jeronimo Lozano will demonstrate and discuss his works. The show continues throughout the week displaying 13 talented artists.
- Sheep Folklife Fair: Roberta McKercher Park, Highway 75, Hailey 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This popular Sheep Folklife Fair provides demonstrations of sheep shearing and herding sheep with stock dogs, displays of sheep wagons, crafts for children, on-going spinning and weaving demonstrations and a traditional Basque Lamb Dinner. The Fair includes performances by the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance, Chaskis Andean musicians, Latino X musicians and dancers, Oinkari Basque Dancers, Boise Highlanders Scottish bagpipers, drummers and dancers, and the Polish Highlanders Folk musicians and dancers.
- St. Charles Traditional Basque Lamb Dinner, 11:30 a.m. to fair closing.
- Peruvian Ballet Folklorica: nexStage Theatre, 120 S. Main St., Ketchum, 7 p.m. Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance accompanied by Chaski's Peruvian Musicians bring the stories of Peru to life through music, dance, and costume. Truly a night to remember. The cost is $15. Tickets are available at the door.
Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007
- History of Sheepherding in the Wood River Valley: Lane Mercantile (Starbucks), Main Street and Sun Valley Road, Ketchum 10 a.m.- noon. Local historian Ivan Swaner will tell stories of the Wood River Valley and the Lane Mercantile, a gathering place for sheepmen over the years.
- Trailing of the Sheep Parade: Main Street, Ketchum, noon. The main event. Sheep trail down Ketchum's Main Street with sheep ranching family members and herders. The Parade is a tribute to the history of sheep ranching in the region. (No dogs, please.)
- Sheep Shuttle: Forest Service Park, Washington Avenue and First Street, Ketchum, 1:45 p.m. Ride the Sheep Shuttle to the Sheepherder Walk north of Ketchum. Third generation sheep rancher John Peavey will discuss the history of sheep ranching in the Wood River Valley along the ride and will be joined by local historian Ivan Swaner.
- Sheepherder Walk: Neal Canyon at the end of Eagle Creek Road, 6.3 miles North of Ketchum, 2-3:30 p.m. The Sheepherder Walk is a guided tour with John Peavey and Ivan Swaner through aspen groves viewing sheepherder carvings on trees. The names and drawings are a record of the men and women who camped in the area with their sheep and walked the trails over the years.
Sheep make their way through downtown Ketchum during the annual Trailing of the Sheep parade.
Photo by Mountain Express
