Black Sheep Gathering

Thanks for joining us at our
50th ANNIVERSARY event!

See you next year!
June 27-29, 2025

Linn County Expo Center
Albany, Oregon

Our 50th Anniversary of The Black Sheep Gathering was a great success! The gathering was first convened in 1974 and came together for the biggest party on the last weekend of June 2024.

One of the fun occassions was the longest tradition of the Gathering, the Saturday evening Potluck. There was no better way to celebrate our 50th Anniversary than with a delicious BBQ lamb dinner, live music and friends. People brought their favorite dishes or sides to share and enjoy what Black Sheep Gathering is all about — friends and fiber. And stayed for the Spinners' Lead! They cheered on fabulous fiber artists as they modeled their creations and confidently lead the gorgeous animals that contributed to or inspired those designs — or joined in to show the fantastic item they had created.

The Black Sheep Gathering Fleece Show has a reputation for showing and selling the best fiber available to hand spinners. As always, our unique public judging is a master class in fleece with an unmatched emphasis on natural-colored fibers. In celebration of the anniversary, a Fleece Show Golden Ticket was drawn to allow one lucky attendee exclusive early access to the Fleece Sale to pick their favorite fleece of the show!

The Black Sheep Gathering is an all-volunteer, non-profit agricultural organization that welcomes your suggestions, participation and assistance. We always welcome volunteers and any support to keep the Black Sheep Gathering vibrant for years to come. For information on specific events, to volunteer, or to offer suggestions, please get in touch with committee workers listed on the Contacts page.

Here's a link to a story about the show in the Albany Democrat-Herald.

SHEEP SHOW

Judge: Richard Jacobsen
Le Grand, California

I am a 4th generation sheep producer, primarily as a seed-stock producer. My grandfathers and dad raised competitive sheep here in California, going back to the 1940s.Read More.

ANGORA GOAT SHOW

Judge: Allen Mesick
Huntington Beach, California

Allen Mesick of Eureka! Mohair Farm, has bred and showed white and natural colored Angora goats for over 20 years. His Angora goats have brought home many Champion and overall Grand Champion awards. Read More.

FLEECE SHOW

Wool and Alpaca Judge: Dr. Geof Ruppert
Fairfield, Pennsylvania

Geof Ruppert has been judging sheep and fleeces since he was fresh out of veterinary school. Inspired in part by his mother's love of fiber arts, Dr. Ruppert began raising Corriedales in the 1970s.  Read More.

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FIBER ARTS AND YARN SHOW

Judge: Laura Todd
Neotsu, Oregon

Laura has judged fiber arts for county fairs, taught knitting since 2007, and has been awarded ribbons and multiple best-in-show awards for fiber arts at numerous festivals and fairs nationwide, including three Black Sheep Cups at BSG.Read More.