Island Farm to Host Annual Sheep Shearing Day

Experience History in Real Time

With the advent of spring, the time has come once again for the annual Sheep Shearing Day at the esteemed Island Farm. Saturday, March 23, will see the Farm abuzz with activity from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission has been fixed at $10, with kids aged three and under having free entry. This beloved event also symbolizes the beginning of the Farm’s active 2024 season.

Shear Delight: Witness Sheep Shearing

The charm of Island Farm lies in its commitment to authenticity. At this event, spectators can watch as the Farm’s resident sheep are hand-shorn, a method that stays true to mid-19th-century practices on Roanoke Island. This year, the farm is honored to be hosting the nationally recognized sheep-shearing champion, Kevin Ford. A Massachusetts native, Ford hand-shears over 4,000 sheep and goats each year, using the skills he honed studying blade shearing in Ireland and New Zealand during the 1970s.

The Charm of Traditional Techniques

Sheep shearing isn’t the only tradition being kept alive at this event. Activities including butter making, blacksmithing led by the Manteo Blacksmith, and hearth cooking will be present to recreate the aura of simpler times. Patrons can also enjoy wagon rides, wool bracelet crafting, and demonstrations of wool washing, carding, dyeing, spinning, and weaving by local fiber artists.

Step Back in Time: Island Farm

As a living history farmstead, Island Farm serves as a vibrant glimpse into the past that illustrates life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s. The admission charge to the site stands at $10, while children three years of age and younger are welcome to enjoy the site for free.

Where to Find Slice of History

Island Farm’s gates are located at 1140 N US Highway 64, just a short journey north of Manteo on Roanoke Island. The Farm is proudly owned and managed by the Outer Banks Conservationists. Established in 1980, this non-profit organization focuses on preserving vital natural, cultural, and historical resources in North Carolina’s Outer Banks through education and conservation.

Additional Information

For those interested in learning more, detailed information is available on the official website (www.obcinc.org/island-farm/) or can be acquired by emailing info@obcinc.org or phoning 252-473-6500.