| The 13th Annual Festival, October 9-11, 2009, celebrated "The Wonders of Wool" and the people, cultures and traditions of sheep ranching in Idaho and the west. Western Folklife Center Presentation & Open House
The History of American Sheep Ranching in the West, Ketchum's Ski and Heritage Museum, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. In this exhibit and presentation, the Western Folklife Center's Artistic Director, Meg Glaser shares stories, images and expressive materials reflecting the cultures, perspectives, hopes and challenges of contemporary sheep ranchers. Cooking With Lamb
CK's Real Food Restaurant, Corner of Pine and Main in Hailey, 1 - 2:30pm.
Prominent local restaurateurs Chris and Rebecca Kastner of CK's Real Food Restaurant will demonstrate how to make innovative lamb dishes that epitomize regional northwest cuisine. Advance reservations and $50 fee required at College of Southern Idaho, 208.788.2033. Art and Lamb Foodie Fest in Ketchum, 5 - 7:30 pm
Join the Sun Valley Gallery Association, local chefs and participating businesses for a new event this year. Several of the local Art Galleries will be featuring a local artist and be hosting one of the local restaurant chefs who will be serving 'lamb tastings' to everyone participating in the regular Friday evening Gallery Walk. The fun begins at 5:00 pm and lasts until 7:30 pm.
Lamb tastings with local chefs at these galleries:
- Gilman Contemporary and Ciro
- Gallery DeNovo and East Avenue Bistro
- Kneeland Gallery and Rickshaw
- Broschofsky Galleries and Rasberry's
- Friesen Gallery and Vintage
- NexStage Theatre and the Roosevelt, Sawtooth and Brick House plus Cristina's
Festival Opening Performance, Music and Storytelling in Ketchum
The official Festival Opening will be held at the nexStage Theatre, 120 S. Main Street, Ketchum from 7:30pm - 9:00 pm. Doors open at 5:00 pm and lamb tastings and beverages will be available.  This year's Festival theme, "The Wonders of Wool", also brings famous storytellers, writers and novelists from Nevada and Idaho to share history and stories of sheep herding and sheep shearing.  Hal Cannon is founding Director of the Western Folklife Center and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and has published a dozen books and recordings on the folk arts of the west. Famous storyteller, Hank Vogler will also be here for the opening He is a regular on rural Routes a radio show available online. Western writer and novelist, Richard Hooten, will debut his latest book, The Lamb Cart. Other stories will be shared by Bud Purdy, Vernon Fairchild, John Balderson and Ed Wilde. Tamara Kubacki will present "Knit a Stitch - Spin a Yarn" a presentation featuring a knitting circle with unique stories to share. The evening will also feature a fashion show featuring wool clothing that was worn at the turn of the century when some of Blaine County's original residents came to live. Trailing of the Sheep Dog Trials
Quigley Canyon Field, Access off Fox Acres Rd., Hailey (Behind Wood River High School), 7am to Dusk Saturday and Sunday. Organized by the International Dog Handlers and Stock Dog Association, this two-day trial will feature over 50 of the West Coast's most talented handlers and border collies. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival and the College of Southern Idaho present aFiber Arts Workshop, Felting: Sheep Shearing to Final Product Community Campus - Room 815, Saturday, October 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Celebrate the International Year of Natural Fibers and the annual Trailing of the Sheep by learning how to transform wool from raw fiber into a beautiful felted product. Instructor Mende Ward will lead you through each stage of the process and introduce you to the art of felting. The workshop will explore both simple wet felting and dry needle felting, and you will leave the workshop with at least one completed project. Supplies will be provided. Mende Ward has extensive experience in fiber arts, animal husbandry, and Waldorf schooling. She teaches at the Mountain School. Tuition: $25. Registration through CSI: (208) 788-2033. | 
|  | Folklife Fair, Roberta McKercher Park, 10am - 4pm.
The 2009 Fair highlights the Wonders of Wool - warm, natural, sustainable. You will enjoy weavers and spinners as well as the opportunity to try spinning wool yourself! This popular Folklife Fair provides demonstrations of sheep shearing and sheep herding with stock dogs, displays of sheep wagons, crafts for children, spinning and weaving demonstrations by Navajo Dine weavers and local artisans and a traditional Basque Lamb Dinner. St. Charles Traditional Basque Lamb Dinner will be served from 11:30 am to fair closing. This will be the 60th year of this Folklife Fair tradition! 2009 was the biggest and best Folkife Fair ever! The Boise Highlanders - Bagpipers, Drummers, and Dancers
The Boise Highlanders, formed in 1961, is one of the oldest pipe bands in the Northwest. The Highland drums, often cited as the most complex form of snare drumming, complement the pipers. Dancers join the musicians performing the Highland fling and jigs. Pipers and drummers wear the Davidson tartan, while the dancers wear tartans of their choice. This popular group performs regularly throughout the region. Peruvian Dancers and Musicians (formerly Latino X)
These Peruvian musicians have been playing together for several years performing Andean music and the contemporary dance music of Peru. Band members are: William Leon on drums and quena (flute); Victor Castillo on bass; Edwin Rojas on guitar and vocals; Teofilo Leon on mandolin; Rony Ayllon on keyboard; Rudy Isla on sampona; Roger Tacunan on drums, and Dante on guitar. Oinkari Basque Dancers
The nationally acclaimed Oinkari Basque Dancers were started by a group of Boise Basque Americans after a trip to the Spanish Basque country in 1960. They began the dance group and called themselves Oinkari (a combination of "oinak" meaning "feet" and "arin" meaning "fast" or "light"). Today many dancers are the sons and daughters of those founders, carrying on the traditions of their ancient homeland. Musicians trained in traditional Basque music and its instruments accompany the dancers. They play Basque music of varying styles and rhythms using traditional instruments including the txistu, button accordions, accompanied by pandareta and other Basque instruments. The music they play could have been heard coming from a Basque hotel or boarding house in Hailey, Shoshone, or Boise over 100 years ago. Peruvian Traditions (under the direction of Edwin Roman)
Peruvian Traditions bring the music and dance of the Andes to the Wood River Valley. They specialize in music of the pan flute, acoustic guitar, Peruvian drums, charango (small guitar), and chachas. Polish Highlanders of North America
The Polish Highlanders of North America present the folk music and dance of their families, shepherds from the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland. Their dance is found only in this region of Europe. Their singing was once used to communicate from mountaintop pastures to valleys below. Now living in Chicago, the group keeps its distinct identity and traditions to pass on to its children. For Children
A special activity booth featuring face painting, crafts, storytelling, cadding with wool, coloring and lots of other fun. Children will learn about sheep shearing, where their wool clothing comes from, see sheep wagons and more. Directed by Kathi Kimball, 4H leader and staff expert from the University of Idaho/Blaine County Extension office. St. Charles Catholic Church's 60th annual famous Basque Lamb Dinner, 11:30am - 4pm. Also at the Fair, visitors will be treated to the St. Charles Catholic Church's famous Basque Lamb Dinner. This feast has been a Valley-wide tradition since 1949 and continues to attract lamb aficionados from far and wide. It has been the featured food event at the Saturday Folklife Fair since the Festival's inception, continuing a treasured Basque tradition and a unique culinary experience. Trailing of the Sheep Dog Trials
Quigley Canyon Field, Access off Fox Acres Rd., Hailey (Behind Wood River High School), 7am to Dusk Saturday and Sunday.The Trailing of the Sheep Dog Trial continues throughout the day on Sunday. Nominal entrance fee of $2 per person; children under 5 free. See Saturday listing above for complete description. History of Sheepherding in the Wood River Valley
Lane Mercantile (Starbucks), Main Street and Sun Valley Road, Ketchum 10am - noon.Local historian Ivan Swaner will be on hand to tell stories of the Wood River Valley and the Lane Merc, a gathering place for sheepmen over the years. No charge. Trailing of the Sheep Parade
Main Street, Ketchum, Noon
The Main Event. (NO DOGS PLEASE) Join an authentic trailing of the sheep down Ketchum's Main Street as part of their annual migration to winter pastures. The parade includes historic sheep wagons and participants from the Folklife Fair, each identified by sign-bearing dancers from the Footlight Dance Centre. After the parade passes, you are invited to walk with the families herding the animals to their resting place several miles south of town. See our Parade section for a detailed list of parade participants. AFTER THE PARADE Trailing of the Sheep Parade Barbecue
Irving's Hill in Ketchum after the Parade. 12:30 pm. Lamb barbecue fundraiser for the Festival donated by Board members An authentic ranch-style barbecue plus delectable lamb favorites donated by La India. Everyone welcome! Sheep Shuttle
Forest Service Park, Washington and 1st Streets, Ketchum, 1:50pm
Ride the Sheep Shuttle to the Sheepherder Walk north of Ketchum. Third-generation sheep rancher John Peavey will answer questions and discuss the history and practices of sheep ranching in the Wood River Valley. Donations accepted for bus service. Sheepherder Walk
Neal Canyon at the end of Eagle Creek Road, 6.3 miles North of Ketchum, 2:15 - 3pm.
The Sheepherder Walk is a guided tour with John Peavey and local historian Ivan Swaner through aspen groves filled with 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. No charge. | 
