Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century-and-a-half and are an integral part of Idaho’s western heritage. It is only fitting that they take center stage at the 28th annual celebration of the iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, October 2–6, 2024, which celebrates the sheep, herders, history, and food of this unique tradition, and is 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, an authentic Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, a Wool Fest with classes and workshops, music, storytelling, National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials and, the always entertaining Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum.
2024 Festival Highlights include:
- Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep trailing down Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho.
- National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials featuring 80 of the county’s most talented border collies and their handlers competing for top awards.
- Sheep Folklife Fair featuring Basque, Scottish, Polish, and Peruvian dancers and musicians, sheep shearing demonstrations, 80+ sheep and wool product vendors, children’s activities and more.
· Sheep Tales Gathering will feature “The Future of Conservation In A Crowded West,” a conversation and panel focusing on the importance of both private and public lands, the critical role of agriculture in conservation and obstacles faced by those stewarding these landscapes.
- Culinary Events with For the Love of Lamb tastings, Lamb Fest at the Folklife Fair, Cooking with Lamb classes, and Farm to Table Lamb Dinners featuring Idaho lamb from local ranchers.
- Wool Fest featuring a variety of classes and workshops.
- Sheep Reads Festival Book Club showcasing author Ivan Doig’s book “This House of Sky – Landscapes of a Western Mind” and hosted by writer Diane Josephy Peavey.
- Happy Trails Closing Party in the Ketchum Town Square (before and after the Big Sheep Parade) featuring vendors, food, and live music by Cindy & Gary Braun in the morning and the Kim Stocking Band in the afternoon.
For the detailed schedule, tickets, and lodging deals, visit www.trailingofthesheep.org.
The 2024 Big Sheep Parade is sponsored by the City of Ketchum and the Wood River Women’s Foundation, with many other supporters, volunteers and friends bringing the entire Festival to fruition.