Annual Fleece And Fiber Fair Coming To Hallockville

A family favorite event will unfold this weekend as the Hallockville Museum Farm hosts the fourth annual Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair. 

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Co-sponsored by the Long Island Livestock Company, the event will feature shearing, wool dying, spinning, weaving, and sheep-herding demonstations, as well as many other activities. 

Animals including sheep, llamas, alpacas, and angora rabbits will be on display. 

In addition, the Naugles Barn will be converted into a "Fiber Market,” where 25 local and regional vendors will sell hand-spun yarn and fiber-related finished products and supplies. 

“There is a growing appreciation of the local fiber arts and this is a great event where the public can learn how fiber is produced and used in everything from yarn to bath goods," Tabbethia Haubold, founder and owner of Yaphank-based Long Island Livestock Company, said.

Haubold will conduct shearing demonstrations during the fair. Other demonstrations include sheep-herding, conducted by Judianne Davis -- the 
farming skill was made famous in the movie Babe -- blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, needle-felting and wool-dyeing.

The Long Island Livestock Company Youth Llama Show Team will guide llamas through a “Llama Obstacle Course,” demonstrating the animals’ footwork.  

“The success of the previous fairs shows the strong interest in fiber arts and the Museum Farm provides a wonderful and historic venue to showcase traditional crafts," Herb Strobel, Executive Director of Hallockville, said. 

The Peconic Ruggers and the Eastern Long Island Quilting Guild will offer hands-on opportunities for kids to try traditional crafts such as rug hooking and quilt appliqué. 

Admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 are free. Hallockville Museum Farm is located at 6038 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. All proceeds support the educational mission of the museum farm. For more information, call 631-298-5292.