Every year, thousands of people attend fiber festivals (sometimes called Sheep & Wool festivals) all over the United States. While the average person might stop and think first of dietary fiber, the name actually refers to yarn and the materials used to make it. Crafters flock to these fairs to connect with the farmers and textile-related companies in person. Knitters and crocheters find yarn, both commercial and hand-dyed, while spinners buy fleeces and get to see the quality of the fiber up-close. Many people go to buy handmade sweaters, socks, and jewelry.

In addition to the raw materials used for creating textiles, fiber festivals offer the tools used in crafts, such as spinning wheels, knitting needles, and weaving looms. They also feature classes where festival attendees can learn techniques and new crafts.

Many fiber festivals include dog trials, where sheepdogs show off their skills at herding sheep; animal judging, fleece judging, and many other events that yarn crafters find interesting. Larger festivals may also have exhibits of farm equipment or kids' games so that families who go will also have fun while the yarn enthusiast shops and attends classes.

Fiber festivals grew out of more general farming, county, and state fairs. They generally happen in the spring and autumn, just about the time when most shearing takes place. They began as a way for sheep farmers to sell animals and fleeces, which is how they made money from their flocks. At the time when many festivals began, people still spun yarn for their families out of necessity. However, as the years passed, this fell out of practice. Sheep flocks grew smaller and wool processing became mechanized, meaning the festivals were less important for farmers to sell their wares.

This does not mean that festivals disappeared entirely, however. Many festivals boast very long histories; the Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival began in 1909 and is one of the longest consecutively running wool festivals in America. It is held on the last Saturday of April every year.http://ctsheep.com/100th_annual_sheep_and_wool_festival

One of the most popular festivals in America is the New York Sheep & Wool Festival, located in Rhinebeck, NY. Run by the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association of Hudson, NY, this autumn festival began in 1972.http://www.sheepandwool.com/about-us/index.asp Today, it is often simply known as "Rhinebeck" among fiber enthusiasts, and has become a destination for crafters seeking one-of-a-kind and independently-made fiber and tools.

Fiber Festivals continue to thrive today due to the resurgence of yarn and fiber crafts. Hobbyists and small, independent businesses find these festivals to be a way to network with each other. Now, they have also become places for people to meet in person, when before they may have only known each other through websites like Ravelry.com and Craftster.com.

Most states have festivals of their own. If you are interested in finding one near you, begin by contacting your state website and looking under "agriculture". Depending on the size of the state or the number of counties, there may be several organizations that hold fairs. Another option is to contact the closest Grange office.