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 Rev. Kathleen Bean, Associate 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 Smokey 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 Parade in memory of those we have lost in our sheep family. This year, we remember Ron Lopez.

*No dogs are allowed at the parade for the sake of the sheep and the safety of spectators. Please leave your dog at home.

One of the Herd Button 2022 3 - Laura Drake

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!

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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Don't jump into the middle of the sheep - even for that perfect photograph. It will frighten the sheep.

  • Don't walk through the sheep. Stay behind them.

  • Do look for a volunteer or Faulkner family member if you spot a problem.

  • Always follow the advice and instructions of volunteers and parade officials. They are there for your safety and the safety of the sheep.

  • Do bring children but keep them with you at all times.

  • Do take pictures but only from the side of the parade route.

  • If you want to join in the walk, join in at the end.

Our thanks to the Sponsors of this year's Big Sheep Parade:

Sheep Camp & Team

Z LOGO + SV BLK FNL 190321 - Xole Flores-Uranga

Sheep Camp

First Lite Logo 2023 - Laura Drake