Big Sheep Parade
Trailing of the Sheep Parade
with Faulkner Land and Livestock Sheep
Sunday, October 6, 2024
12:00 Noon
Main Street, Ketchum
FREE!
(NO DOGS PLEASE)
Join an authentic trailing of the sheep down Ketchum's Main Street as part of their annual migration to winter pastures. A band of 1,500 sheep parade down Main Street with sheep ranching family members and herders headed south. The parade includes historic sheep wagons and participants from the Folklife Fair, each identified by sign-bearing dancers from the Footlight Dance Centre. Blessing the flock this year is The Very Rev. M. Jonah Kendall, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. After the parade passes, you are invited to walk with the families herding the animals to their resting place south of town.
Sheep for the Parade from Faulkner Land & Livestock
The hosts of this year's sheep for the Parade are the men and women of Faulkner Land & Livestock. John Faulkner, a third-generation sheep rancher, first with his father and two brothers and now with his sons, Mike and Jack, has run the sheep operation since 1956. It has been headquartered in Gooding, Idaho, since 1933. Most of Faulkner's sheep run in the Smoky Mountains at the head of the South Fork of the Boise River, in the hills behind Featherville and Fairfield, and through the Wood River Valley north into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
In Memoriam
A riderless horse will again be a part of the Trailing of the Sheep Festival's Big Sheep Parade in memory of those we have lost in our sheep family. This year, we remember Ray Easterday, Ron Lopez, John Peavey, Don Pickett, Frank Shrontz, Dick Springs, Tom Stroschein and Ralph "Doc" Wilder.
This August, we also sadly lost “Houdini,” the Big Sheep Parade’s riderless horse for the last several years. He was part of the Lockyer family whose daughter, Elizabeth, successfully rode him winning several rodeo queen titles.
*No dogs are allowed at the parade for the sake of the sheep and the safety of spectators. Please leave your dog at home.
EWE too can sponsor a sheep in the Big Sheep Parade for just $35.00!
Donate and receive this "ONE OF THE HERD" button to proudly wear during this year's Festival in support of "your" sheep!
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Festival founder, local rancher, former Idaho State Senator and family-man, John Peavey, on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
With his wife Diane, he was an icon of the Sun Valley community, loved his sheep and his ranch and educated so many about the animals and the land. All this while sharing moving, funny and inspirational stories with all who listened.
He will be dearly missed by his Trailing of the Sheep Festival Family, and we will be planning a way to honor his legacy with the community and our Festival-goers later this year.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family and all who knew him. We look forward to celebrating him, all he did and all he was, very soon.
Our thanks to the Sponsors of this year's Big Sheep Parade:
Sheep Camp & Team
Sheep Camp
Jay Cutler Event Services, LLC
Parade Etiquette
Thank "Ewe" for Obliging!
The mix of wary animals and curious spectators is always an adventure. Help make the experience fun and successful by following important parade etiquette.
This is not a reenactment of an historic event. This is Idaho living history. We hope you will join us!
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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.
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Stay on the curb at all times! If you step into the street, others along the route can’t see and if the sheep see a funnel ahead, it will spook them. It is for YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THE SHEEP AND ANIMALS.
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Don't jump into the middle of the sheep - even for that perfect photograph. It will frighten the sheep.
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Don't walk through the sheep. Stay behind them.
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Do look for a volunteer or Faulkner family member if you spot a problem.
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Always follow the advice and instructions of volunteers and parade officials. They are there for your safety and the safety of the sheep.
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Do bring children but keep them with you at all times.
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Do take pictures but only from the side of the parade route.
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If you want to join in the walk, join in at the end.