Sheep Folklife Fair, Hailey, Idaho

We feel very much at home in this high desert town of about 8,000 folks, thanks to the warm welcome we had yesterday from my second cousin E and her husband R, and the wonderful time we had today at the Sheep Folklife Fair.

This multucultural celebration includes sheep shearing demos, spinning and weaving demos by regional artisans, vendors selling sheep-related crafts and art, and local eateries offering a range of tasty lamb dishes.

There was also a wealth of music and dancers from sheep-centered cultures, including The Boise Highlanders, one of the oldest pipe bands in the northwest; Peruvian dancers and musicians; The Oinkari Basque Dancers, also from Boise; and the Polish Highlanders, several of whom are in today's blip.

E and I made an early start, as we'd signed up for a 9 a.m. class on digital storytelling -- how to create a short video, which would be a good way for us to have our family history materials reach the younger folks in our families.

The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, the crowd was mellow, the food was tasty, and the entertainment fascinating!

Tomorrow is the Big Sheep Parade in nearby Ketchum, with 1500 sheep, sheep ranching family members and herders, historic sheep wagons, and Folklife Fair participants, going down Main Steet. That will be quite a sight!

(P.S. Many thanks for the stars, hearts, and comments that sent my Boise blip to the Popular pages! I'll catch up with your journals once I'm home.)

Blip 1654