The following entrants are participating in the 2011 Trailing of the Sheep Parade:
Hilarie Neely and dancers from the Footlight Dance Centre carry signs to identify parade participants.
- Color guard—Boy Scout Troop No. 192, Ketchum.
- Peruvian dancers and musicians of the Wood River Valley, former sheepherders, represent the contributions of the Peruvians to sheep ranching in the West.
- Alan Laudert/Lucero Sheep Camp pulled by Lawrence Edwards Team.
- Girl Scouts of the Silver Sage become a flock of sheep
for the Trailing of the Sheep celebration.
- The Oinkari Basque Dancers and musicians of Boise honor the contributions of the Basque people to the sheep industry and Idaho. The children accompanying the dancers and musicians are members of local Basque families.
- Kim and Kathy Vader's Idaho Sheep Camp sheep camp pulled by Laura Sluder and Blue Sage Farm Team.
The Polish Highlanders of North America present the folk music and dance of their families, shepherds from the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland. Now living in Chicago, the group keeps its distinct identity and traditions to pass on to its children.
- Max Keller from McKammon, Idaho, with his sheepwagon and team Doilie and Fred. Following the sheepwagon is Bert, a 12-year old pack mule that helps Max and his friends.
- Boise Highlanders bagpipers, drummers and dancers honor the Scottish families who were among the first to run sheep in Idaho.
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- Darby Northcott and her pet sheep help lead the sheep with the Faulkner family.
- Father Ken Brannon, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, blesses the sheep.
- THE SHEEP!!! A band of 1,500 sheep from Faulkner Land & Livestock, Gooding, Idaho. Those wishing to test their herding skills may walk behind the sheep after they pass you and with the herders move them down the valley toward their afternoon resting place several miles south of town.
Parade Etiquette
The mix of wary animals and curious spectators is always an adventure. Help make the experience fun and successful by following important parade etiquette.
- No dogs are allowed at the parade for the sake of the sheep and the safety of spectators. Please leave your dog at home or in the car.
- Don't jump into the middle of the sheep—even for that perfect photograph. It will frighten the sheep.
Don't walk through the sheep. Stay behind them.
Do look for a volunteer or Faulkner family member if you spot a problem.
- Always follow the advice and instructions of volunteers and parade officials. They are there for your safety and the safety of the sheep.
- Do bring children but keep them with you at all times.
- Do take pictures but only from the side of the parade route.
- If you want to join in the walk, join in at the end.
Calendar of Events
Thursday, October 6
Women and Ranching Heritage: Special exhibit collaboration with the Western Folklife Center and a special presentation Friday, Oct. 7 from 3-4:30 p.m. Ketchum Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum, Ketchum. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Fiber Festival: New classes and workshops including those for children. Starts Thursday evening with knitting and felting workshop and features classes and workshops through Saturday. Classes in dyeing, spinning, soap making, novelty yarns, creating a saddle blanket, locker hooking, needle felting and working with Angora rabbit fiber. Advanced registration and fees required. A full schedule of classes can be found on the web at trailingofthesheep.org. Contact 788-2033 or www.csi.edu/blaine to sign up. Juried fleece show and demonstrations during the weekend's Sheep Folklife Fair in Hailey's Roberta McKercher Park. College of Southern Idaho, Hailey.
Friday, October 7
Women Writing and Living the West: (SOLD OUT) A gathering of the finest Western women writers and ranching women in a full day of storytelling and preserving memories through writing. Coming are Teresa Jordan, author and moderator, "Riding the White Horse Home" and "Cowgirls"; Gretel Ehrlich, "The Solace of Open Spaces"; Linda Hasselstrom, "No Place Like Home"; Linda Hussa, "The Family Ranch: Land, Children, and Tradition in the American West"; Diane Josephy Peavey, "Bitterbrush Country" and Annick Smith, "Homestead" and filmaker/executive producer of the movie "Heartland." Participants will hear readings by a notable group of Western women writers and ranch women, who will share their experiences, followed by interactive discussions among the writers, ranchers and symposium participants. Breakout session will allow participants to focus on their own memories with hands-on writing and sharing. Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, Sun Valley. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. People can still support the event and honor the life and work of a remarkable ranching woman by making a donation and an email with a few sentences and a photo, and your special woman will be honored on a special tribute page. Visit www.trailingofthesheep.org.
Cooking with lamb demonstration: Prominent local restaurant owner and chef Scott Mason will demonstrate how to make innovative lamb dishes that epitomize regional Northwest cuisine. Advanced reservations required. College of Southern Idaho, Hailey. 1-2:30 p.m. $50. Details: 788-2033.
Western Folklife Center Presentation and Open House: In this exhibit and presentation, the Western Folklife Center staff teams up with the Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum to share stories, images and expressive materials reflecting the history, cultures, perspectives, hopes and challenges of contemporary sheep ranchers. Forest Service Park, Ketchum. 3-4:30 p.m. Free.
Art and Lamb Foodie Fest: Free lamb tastings from the finest Wood River Valley chefs and restaurants in a reception-like setting designed around the festival featuring local artists, photographers and ranching families. Businesses and restaurants posting yellow "Trailing of the Sheep Xing" are participating in the festival by offering lamb specials and wooly sales. Participants are Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum with chef Tim Filgate, artist Jennifer Bellinger and hosts Joan and John Davies; Rasberry's with artist Debbie Edger Sturges and host Jerry Seiffert; Cornerstone Bar and Grill with artist Lori McNee, hosts Ken and Pauline Wixom, Wixom Livestock and Alberto Uranga; Cristina's with artist Jineen Griffith, ranching family Brian and Kathleen Bean, Lava Lake Land & Livestock and host Marti Shepard; Moose Girls with artist Kim Howard, ranching family/hosts Gene and Mary Langhus, Big Timber, Mont.; Roosevelt Grill with artist Michael Edminster, ranching family/hosts John and Diane Peavey, Flat Top Sheep Co.; nexStage Theatre, restaurant Woodsmoke BBQ with artists Karen Jacobsen and Pam Street, ranching family Margaret Soulen Hinson, Soulen Livestock, hosts Dick and Melinda Springs. 5-7 p.m.
Sheep Tales Gathering: Featuring Annick Smith and her film "Heartland". Smith was executive producer of this film and co-producer of "A River Runs Through It," directed by Robert Redford. nexStage Theatre, Ketchum. 7:30-9 p.m. $10.
Lamb Dine-Around: There are many fine restaurants in the Wood River Valley serving gourmet American lamb specials over the weekend. Indulge your taste buds with exquisite lamb dishes at these participating restaurants throughout the valley. Apples Bar & Grill, The Cellar Pub, CK's Real Food, Cristina's Restaurant & Bakery, Dashi, Despo's Mexican Restaurant, Fresshies, Globus, Golden Elk, il Naso, KB's, Ketchum Grill, Knob Hill, Rickshaw Restaurant, Vintage Restaurant, Ciro Restaurant, Perry's Restaurant, The Pioneer Saloon, Ram Restaurant, Roosevelt Grille, Sawtooth Club, Trail Creek Cabin, Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill, Sushi on Second, Zaney's River Street Coffee House. Times and offers vary.
Saturday, October 8
Trailing of the Sheepdog Championship Trials: Enjoy watching the incredible skills of 50 of the best sheepherding dogs from around the West. These amazingly talented animals always astonish viewers and provide great photo opportunities. This is a U.S. Border Collie Handlers Association sanctioned event. Bring lawn chairs. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Quigley Canyon field, Fox Acres Road adjacent to Wood River High School, Hailey. 7 a.m. until dusk. $2.
Sheep Folklife Fair: Traditional dance, fiber festival, classes, folk art, music, food and demonstrations. Peruvian musicians and dancers; Oinkari Basque dancers; Boise Highlanders bagpipers and drummers; Polish Highlanders of Chicago, musicians and dancers; sheep shearing; sheep wagon displays; spinning and weaving demonstrations; children's activities; and wool and craft shops. New are children's fiber classes in felting, spinning, star weaving, Kool Aid dyeing and much more. Take a wagon ride with Laura Sluder from Blue Sage Farms from the park to the sheepdog trials in Quigley Canyon Field. $5 adults, $3 for kids. Additional $2 at the gate of the two-day trials. Food from the Wood River Valley's finest chefs features scrumptious lamb lunch specials. Offerings from Full Moon Catering, Guerry's Authentic Basque, Powerhouse, 310 Main, Fresshie's, CK's Real Food and chef Tim Filgate. Roberta McKercher Park, Hailey. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Women and Ranching Heritage: Special exhibit. Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum, Ketchum. 1-4 p.m.
Baxter Black Concert: The New York Times called him the nation's most successful living poet. Friend and musician Hal Cannon will perform with Black. nexStage Theatre, Ketchum. 7:30-9 p.m. $25 to $75. For tickets, visit trailingofthesheep.org
Fiber Festival: New classes and workshops including those for children. Started Thursday evening with knitting and felting workshop and features classes and workshops through Saturday. Classes in dyeing, spinning, soap making, novelty yarns, creating a saddle blanket, locker hooking, needle felting and working with Angora rabbit fiber. Advanced registration and fees required. A full schedule of classes can be found on the web at www.trailingofthesheep.org. Contact 788-2033 or www.csi.edu/blaine to sign up. Juried fleece show and demonstrations during the weekend's Sheep Folklife Fair in Hailey's Roberta McKercher Park.
Lamb Dine-Around: There are many fine restaurants in the Wood River Valley serving gourmet American lamb specials over the weekend. Indulge your taste buds with exquisite lamb dishes at these participating restaurants over the weekend and throughout the valley: Apples Bar & Grill, The Cellar Pub, CK's Real Food, Cristina's Restaurant & Bakery, Dashi, Despo's Mexican Restaurant, Fresshies, Globus, Golden Elk, il Naso, KB's, Ketchum Grill, Knob Hill, Rickshaw Restaurant, Vintage Restaurant, Ciro Restaurant, Perry's Restaurant, The Pioneer Saloon, Ram Restaurant, Roosevelt Grille, Sawtooth Club, Trail Creek Cabin, Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill, Sushi on Second, Zaney's River Street Coffee House. Times and offers vary.
Sunday, October 9
Trailing of the Sheepdog Championship Trials: Day two of competition among 50 of the best sheepherding dogs from around the West. These amazingly talented animals always astonish viewers and provide great photo opportunities. This is a U.S. Border Collie Handlers Association sanctioned event. Bring lawn chairs. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Quigley Canyon field, Fox Acres Road, adjacent to Wood River High School, Hailey. 7 a.m. to dusk. $2.
Photography Workshop: Join Michael Edminster and Jack Williams and they will take you to find the sheep in the hills getting ready to join the parade and share photography tips and lessons about getting the best sheep shots. This will be a memorable experience. Plan to carpool from site to site. Meet across from the Ketchum Post Office. 9-11 a.m. $25.
History of Sheepherding in the Wood River Valley: Local historian Ivan Swaner and rancher John Peavey will discuss the history of the area, share stories and answer questions. Lane Mercantile, Corner of Sun Valley Road and Main Street, Ketchum. 10 a.m.- noon.
Trailing of the Sheep Parade Barbecue: Authentic lamb barbecue fundraiser donated by Trailing of the Sheep Festival board. Music by Headwaters. Irving's Hill, Main Street, Ketchum. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Trailing of the Sheep Parade: The weekend highlight. Trailing of 1,500 sheep down Ketchum's Main Street with sheep ranching family members and herders. The parade also includes Footlight Dance Centre dancers, Peruvian musicians and dancers, Oinkari Basque dancers, the Boise Highlanders, the Polish Highlanders and sheep wagons. No dogs allowed. Main Street, Ketchum. Noon.
Women and Ranching Heritage: Special exhibit. Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski and Heritage Museum. 1-3 p.m.
Sheepherder Hike and Stories: Enjoy a guided hike through area aspen groves to view sheepherder tree carvings, a disappearing Western art form. Ride the Sheep Shuttle to the Sheepherder hike north of Ketchum for a small fee, or follow behind in your car for free. Local historian Ivan Swaner and third-generation sheep rancher and former Idaho state Sen. John Peavey will share stories and answer questions about the history and traditions of sheep ranching life. Ketchum Forest Service Park. 2-3:30 p.m.
Lamb Dine-Around: There are many fine restaurants in the Wood River Valley serving gourmet American lamb specials over the weekend. Indulge your taste buds with exquisite lamb dishes at these participating restaurants over the weekend and throughout the valley: Apples Bar & Grill, The Cellar Pub, CK's Real Food, Cristina's Restaurant & Bakery, Dashi, Despo's Mexican Restaurant, Fresshies, Globus, Golden Elk, il Naso, KB's, Ketchum Grill, Knob Hill, Rickshaw Restaurant, Vintage Restaurant, Ciro Restaurant, Perry's Restaurant, The Pioneer Saloon, Ram Restaurant, Roosevelt Grille, Sawtooth Club, Trail Creek Cabin, Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill, Sushi on Second, Zaney's River Street Coffee House. Times and offers vary.
More historical exhibits:
Jack Lane's Mercantile, Main Street and Sun Valley Road. Friday through Sunday, visit a re-creation of the gathering place for sheep men where for years the talk was about weather, prices and lamb weights.
Blaine County Historical Museum, Main Street, Hailey, Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Community Library, 415 Spruce Ave., Ketchum. Friday, 1-6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Hailey Public Library, Main Street, Hailey, Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
