Old-fashioned fun is baa’ck at Sunday’s Sheep to Shawl Festival

It’s that time of year to give our wooly friends haircuts so that they’ll be more comfortable in the heat of summer. And, not only do they get haircuts, but we get to join in for what has become an annual celebration at Huntington Historical Society’s Sheep to Shawl Festival, on May 21, at the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House Museum.

The highlight of this perennial favorite, which has been around for more than 30 years, is the live sheep-shearing demos. While it’s interesting to watch today, sheep shearing was hard work for early colonists. However, once you see first-hand what it took to give these farm creatures a good, close shave, you’ll probably walk away with a new appreciation for taking care of these chores in past days.

Keeping with an early-American theme, demonstrators will be dressed in colonial costume to show the spinning, knitting and weaving processes for turning wool into clothing. Local craft guilds will also be at the fest to assist visitors in trying their hand at spinning, quilt making, embroidery, lace making, basket weaving, knitting and crocheting. Look for some old-fashioned games and crafts, too.

Now, since I always enjoy a good shopping opportunity, I would spend a good amount of time checking out Bargains in the Barn and the 99-cent table, which are other attractions to be featured here.

Tours of the Kissam House (circa 1795), with costumes from the Society’s collection displayed in different rooms, are also offered.

So, take a step back to the colonial-era and have a “wooly” good time!

Sheep to Shawl Festival
Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House Museum
434 Park Ave., Huntington
Noon-4 p.m.
631-427-7045 · huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.