The 12th annual Festival, October 10-12, 2008

celebrates "Songs and Stories of Sheepherders" and highlights the unique contributions made by the western sheepherders who worked and settled in the Wood River Valley of Idaho.

The festivities start on Friday, October 10 with afternoon workshops that feature cooking lamb with gourmet chefs.

Saturday, October 11 there is the Sheep Folklife Fair in Hailey, featuring regional artisans working with wool - shearing, carding, spinning and weaving, and herding sheep demonstrations. Fair performances include the Boise Highlanders Scottish bagpipers and drummers, the Polish Highlander folk dancers, Oinkari Basque dancers and Txantxangorriak Basque musicians, Peruvian dancers and musicians, and Celtic songs and dance.

Saturday evening hosts Rosalie Sorrels, renowned folkartist, and Hal Cannon of Western Folklife Center, Elko NV in concert offering "Songs and Stories of Sheepherding" in a unique evening of song and tribute to the western experience in sheep ranching.

Sunday afternoon, October 12, join us for the Trailing of the Sheep Parade, with hundreds of sheep moving down Main Street. This "Trailing" follows a nearly 100 year-old tradition and will be led by one of four local sheep ranching families, as well as historic sheep wagons, Oinkari Basque Dancers, Polish Highlanders, Peruvian Dancers and Musicians and the Boise Highlanders bagpipers and drummers.