The first California Wool and Fiber Festival was held in the spring of 1998. It was the brainchild of a few fiber people who realized that while there was no shortage of spinners, weavers, knitters, fiber producers and others who wanted to come together to share their interests...there was no festival in the state to call our own. The first one-day gathering opened without an official name, and with a small number of vendors selling their fiber-related wares to an even smaller number of visitors. What the show did have, however, was a group of people who enjoyed participating in this event, and wanted to nurture it and see it grow into something special.
Fiber producers may enter their sheep and goats into competition for top honors. Of special interest to visitors is the skill of the professional sheep shearer who will be on the grounds and doing shearing demonstrations.
There is an ever-increasing interest in the wool show, which also includes mohair, alpaca and other fibers. You are invited to observe the competition as the judge evaluates each entry and awards fleeces in their respective classes. There is a lot to be learned in listening to a knowledgeable judge comment on the condition, character, properties and uses of various fibers. A majority of these fleeces are offered for sale at this event.
Also on the festival grounds, we are proud to have the Floyd Johnson Memorial Sheep Dog Trials that showcases some of the best herding dogs in the area. You may purchase a satisfying lunch and settle into the covered stadium seating to spend some time admiring the amazing talents of these dogs and their handlers.
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