One of Largest Fiber Festivals set for Estes Park in June

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar 27, 2009 -
It will be a weekend of wooly creatures and fibers from their coats at the 19th annual Estes Park Wool Market in Estes Park June 13 and 14, 2009.

This all-natural fiber market is one of the largest in North America and includes demonstrations, contests, a children’s tent, exhibits and the sale of fiber animals and products from their wool. Now in its 19th year, the market draws more than 10,000 spectators during the two-day mid-June event.

Watch as an announcer provides play-by-play explanations of the many herding techniques by sheep herding canines used by these animals and their handlers. In the Children's Tent, visitors – young and old alike – participate in rope weaving, spinning and loom weaving.

Demonstrations during the weekend include shearing, fiber preparation, spinning and weaving. You can even learn how to pack a llama for hiking or hunting. Sheep, llama, alpaca, and cashmere & angora goat competitions and fleece contests are held throughout the weekend.

For shoppers, more than 50 booths are filled with fleeces, raw fibers, novelty knitting and crocheting yarns, as well as finished coats, scarves, hats, shawls, and fiber processing equipment.

The festival follows two days of seminars and workshops for fiber and natural craft enthusiasts. Included are six two-day sessions, 21 one-day workshops and two half-day learning sessions, covering everything from caning seats for chairs and spinning exotic fibers to creating variegated yarns using natural dye extracts. Preregistration is required and classes fill early.

Public, come-when-you-wish Wool Market exhibits, demonstrations, competitions and vendor booths will be open June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One of the most popular attractions at the festival is the Children's Tent, where visitors, young and old, are invited to try their hands at rope weaving, spinning and loom weaving. Weavers and spinners will be on hand to teach basics and give visitors of all ages a chance to try the techniques for themselves.

The weekend's activities are held at The Fairgrounds at Stanley Park located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and Community Drive. Although admission is free, there is a $5 parking fee.

For more information, call 800-44-ESTES or 970-577-9900  or visit www.EstesParkCVB.com.