Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is a two-day event held at the Howard County Fairgrounds, now in its 53rd year. This is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country, with more than 250 vendors, 600-plus sheep, and over 40 workshops. The programming runs the full spectrum from fiber arts to agriculture: fiber arts seminars, shepherd workshops, sheepdog trials, shearing demonstrations, sheep and goat shows, and a juried fleece sale all share the schedule. Each year features a highlighted breed (Scottish Blackface for 2026). The festival also runs free demos, contests and competitions, live entertainment, and a food scene that's earned its own reputation. If you've been in fiber arts for any length of time, you've probably already heard of this one.