Join the Hoedown at the Prospect Park Zoo Fleece Fest This Weekend

Baby Doll Sheep, photo by Julie Larsen Maher, WCS

Watch as the Prospect Park Zoo’s resident sheep and alpacas get sheared of their winter coats this weekend! The 18th Annual Fleece Fest is much more than just a spring haircut for the animals, though.

Expert sheep shearer Don Kading will discuss processing wool, plus local artisans will be on hand to talk about what happens to the wool post-haircut. There will also be live country music from the Otter Brothers. And after seeing the sheep get sheared, you can walk next door to Leffert’s Historic House and try your hand at washing, carding, spinning, and weaving wool into cloth.

Here’s the full schedule:

Fleece Fest at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo
Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20
11am-4pm Sheep-themed arts and crafts in Animals in Art area
12-4pm Wooly Wonders at the barn–weaving, felt making, and games
2-5pm Barnyard Hoedown: Live country music by the Otter Brothers
1:30 and 3:30pm Sheep Shearing at the barn