Black Sheep Gathering

This is our
50th ANNIVERSARY!

June 28 - 30, 2024

Linn County Expo Center
Albany, Oregon

Welcome to the 50th Anniversary of The Black Sheep Gathering! The gathering was first convened in 1974 and will come together for the biggest party on the last weekend of June 2024.

Be sure to attend the longest tradition of the Gathering, the Saturday evening Potluck. There's no better way to celebrate our 50th Anniversary than with a delicious BBQ lamb dinner, live music and friends. Bring your favorite dish or side to share and enjoy what Black Sheep Gathering is all about — friends and fiber. Be sure to stay for the Spinners' Lead! Cheer on fabulous fiber artists as they model their creations and confidently lead the gorgeous animals that contributed to or inspired those designs — or join in to show the fantastic item you've 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 anniver-sary, a Fleece Show Golden Ticket will be drawn to allow one lucky attendee exclusive early access to the Fleece Sale to pick their favorite fleece of the show! Learn more about this in-person-only event here soon.

The Information Booth and Black Sheep Gathering Store team has been working hard to bring you exciting collectible merchandise to commemorate the 50th Anniversary. Merchandise is only available during the event and sells out quickly, so be sure to stop by the Willamette Center entrance and get your souvenirs. Then head to the legendary Marketplace to visit exceptional new and veteran ven-dors! The Marketplace offers one-stop shopping for everything spinning and knitting, as well as the location of Fiber Arts and Sheep-to-Shawl Competitions. Please note that the Sheep-to-Shawl Competition has been moved from Friday to Saturday. The event begins at 9am.

Registration for workshops opens on April 1. You will want to take advantage of the lineup of the best instructors in the country. This may be your only opportunity in the Pacific Northwest to attend some of these affordable workshops in a student-centered environment. The list of classes will be available here March 1.

As usual, we'll have convenient camping and lodging options. You'll want to make your reservations soon to ensure you have a spot!

Admission and parking at the Gathering are always free. Bring your families and friends and participate in one of the most unique events in the country, celebrating natural-colored animals and their fiber. Please remember that no dogs (other than service dogs) are allowed, and Service Dogs are restricted from the animal areas for the safety of animals and participants.

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.

w

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.