The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is one of the largest festivals of its kind celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven.

2026 Catalog Cover Artist Andrea Wisnewski

Find out more about our 2026 cover artist Andrea Wisnewski.

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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mary Streaker, one of the founders of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Mary passed away yesterday, just two months shy of her 95th birthday.Mary's influence on our Festival, the Howard County Fairgrounds, and countless individuals cannot be overstated. She was a teacher, mentor, artist, leader, volunteer, and friend whose passion for education, creativity, and community helped shape the Festival we know today.Many of us were fortunate to know Mary personally. Even in recent years, she continued to attend Festival meetings when she was able, reconnecting with the volunteers and friends who had worked alongside her for decades. Her wisdom, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the fiber arts inspired generations of volunteers, exhibitors, artists, and fairgoers.Mary's legacy lives on through the Home Arts Department, the Fine Arts and Photo Competitions, and the many traditions she helped establish and nurture. The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival exists today in part because of the vision, dedication, and countless hours of service that Mary and her fellow founders invested so many years ago.On behalf of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mary's family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her remarkable life. We are grateful for her contributions, her friendship, and the enduring example she set for all of us.Mary will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.Visitation will be held at Haight Funeral Home, Sykesville, Maryland, on June 17 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on June 18 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall. ... See MoreSee Less
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LOST AND FOUND!2026 MD Sheep & Wool If you lost an item at the Festival please contact gro.loowdnapeehs@ofni. We do have a few items that were left behind and will work with you to determine if any of them are yours! Glasses, wallets, journal, necklace, scarf, etc., etc. We'd like to see you reunited!! ... See MoreSee Less
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🐑 All the final details are coming together and we are excited to see everyone!!! Please expect heavy traffic on Sat am, so plan ahead! SO much to see and do all weekend! Come out and support local, small, creative owned businesses and agriculture at the #mdsw sheepandwool.org ... See MoreSee Less
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  • " This was paradise for me! My eyes feast on every booth that I walked through. It’s just amazing how creativity flows in everywhere I look. What I enjoyed the most is seeing the smile of satisfaction of people as they admire their newly acquired item. It’s like you can see heaven through their eyes. "

    Mjanejf on Ravelry
  • " I am a knitter, so I love seeing the variety of yarns for sale!  My son loves seeing the sheep and goats.  And my husband loves the food - especially the typical fair food and the lamb burgers! "

    Heather C.Sykesville, MD
  • " I always go here to stock up on roving for spinning & the wool yarn I use to weave. There are hundreds of vendors from all over the country selling incredible textiles, yarns, antiques & hand crafted items. "

    Manasi K.Seattle, WA
  • " There's plenty of fair food to be had there, not to mention some tasty lamb from a few vendors.  For the best food, go in the 4-H building and either purchase a BBQ sandwich or a leg of lamb sandwich.  Yum! "

    Wayne B.Charlotte, NC.
  • " Lots of animals to pet, sheepdog trials to watch, music, fairground food, shearing demonstrations, storytelling, wool spinning demos - fascinating, and it's outdoors, so the kids can be as loud as they want. "

    Anita W.Silver Spring, MD
  • " The festival is a great coming together of rural America. There is so much livestock, wool, yarn & southern food here, it's amazing. "

    Manasi K.Seattle, WA
  • " If you have any love whatsoever of sheep, wool, fleece, fiber, or anything to do with knitting, weaving, or spinning, then this is the festival for you. "

    Wayne B.Charlotte, NC