The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival Draws Younger Fans
On a clear October day, the state fair in Westchester County turned out a crowd three times larger than last year’s, even with the weather.
One attendee called it “a zoo” and a half-moon of a tent filled with animals – from sheep, goats and goatskins, to llamas, bison, and zebra – made the place look like it.
“It seems like the more sheep you have, the more people come,” said Sarah Hall, of New York. “My dog could not make it in because she thinks she is a sheep if she sees a horse, but she is happy enough to see a sheep.”
Despite the weather, the fairgrounds were packed, with long lines to get in and large crowds waiting for rides, food for the day, and prizes like a free trip to a Florida theme park, and a goat or calf with a “Goat-a-Thon” prize.
A man who was carrying a wooden sheep and goatskin on the shoulders of a goat-shearing demonstration said they were for the festival.
“They are a wonderful symbol of a great love,” the man said, referring to his goatskins.
The man said his goatskin was made for his son, who is going to college and will be getting a sheepskin. He plans to give the sheepskin to the boy.
“When there is a new baby, a little sheep comes and brings her own sheepskin,” he said. “I plan to keep this for my son – he will be having kids.”
The sheep, he said, are happy for the sheep festival.
“Sheep are very happy,” he said.
A sheep festival will be held in the same