NM Fair demos teach skills
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Ever wonder how wool gets from the sheep to the finished scarf? Then why not check out the Sheep to Scarf demonstration at the Northern Maine Fair.
“The Sheep to Scarf demonstrations will be held Monday, Aug. 1, through Thursday, Aug. 4. It is our local version of Sheep to Shawl — an event held nationwide at historical museums, country fairs, fiber festivals and farm festivals to demonstrate and explain to the public the variety of processes necessary to create a garment from raw fleece to completed hand-woven shawls, or, in our case, scarves,” said Pamela Sweetser, event organizer.
From clipping fibers, to washing, carding and weaving them into yarn, participants will experience all the steps necessary to create yarn.
“We will shear the sheep, prepare the fleece, spin the singles, ply the yarn and weave and knit it into scarves,” said Sweetser.
According to Sweetser, those offering demonstrations will share their knowledge and “enable visitors to see the entire labor-intensive process of making woolen cloth.”
“They’ll be able to participate in many stages of the process, once the sheep are sheared: washing, drying, picking and carding the wool, then spinning the yarn,” she explained.
Scarves were chosen rather than shawls, due to limited time and resources.
“Since we have limited wool and participants this year, we anticipate only enough yarn to produce scarves rather than shawls. Nonetheless, visitors will have a unique opportunity to see a slice of daily life once common in Aroostook County. In future years, we hope to produce a shawl at week’s end,” said Sweetser.
In addition, Old MacDonald’s Farm will again offer folks up-close views of the actual animals who supply their daily milk, eggs and meat.
“Local 4-H participants will provide ongoing demonstrations with their animals. There will also be daily demonstrations,” said Sweetser. “The last (the demonstrations) is an important one to promote as the horse industry in Maine has a $364 million impact on the economy and supports about 5,700 jobs, earning around $130 million in income.”
Sweetser said Aroostook County has a “viable equine community which, in addition to its economic benefits, helps in the preservation of our open spaces and rural character.”
Organizers encourage the public to come check out the many demonstrations being offered this year at the fair.
“These offerings are both new and improved parts of the Northern Maine Fair this year and should attract visitors who might not otherwise attend,” said Sweetser.
Numerous livestock exhibitions and demonstrations are planned throughout fair week.
“Eggs don’t originate in cartons, wool scarves don’t actually come from the store and a horse in your life means more than just the money to buy it,” she said.
“Bring the whole family to the livestock area to learn about the importance of farm animals in our lives. There will be plenty of question and answer opportunities. You will also be able to try your hand at some of the manufacturing steps that turn raw animal products into finished goods we consume, wear or use every day,” said Sweetser.
All demonstrations and activities are free of charge to fair-goers.
“Several of the activities had not been confirmed at the time the fair booklet was printed. We want to make people aware of these events,” said Andrea Bard-Smith, an organizer of events at this year’s fair.
The following festivities are scheduled:
• Jack Buck Memorial Grandstand & Livestock Show Ring at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 31, featuring “So You Want to Buy a Horse” — The Aroostook County Horse Council will present an educational demonstration to offer practical suggestions to help make a wise choice in purchasing a horse. Live horses will be part of this demonstration;
• Livestock demonstration area by the 4-H food booth, 4-5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, through Friday, Aug. 5 — Equine Care and Use. Equine Dentist Steven Akeley of Damariscotta will present demonstrations on a variety of horse-related topics including dentistry, hoof care, grooming, harness fitting and hitching;
• 5-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, through Thursday, Aug. 4 — Sheep to Scarf (Livestock demonstration area). Local fiber artisans will conduct a four-day demonstration to reveal the entire process of converting sheep’s wool into a scarf; and
• 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5 — Grand Finale Parade of Animals. Enjoy a cavalcade of barnyard animals shined up and possibly even dressed up.
