Get a taste of life on the farm at Queens County Farm’s 14th Annual Sheep Shearing Contest on Sunday, May 18.
The yearly tradition is the city’s only sheep shearing festival at the centuries-old farm and museum, located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. in Floral Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is bound to bring an afternoon filled with farm-time fun, including hay rides, live music and much more.
“The Sheep Shearing Festival is a joyful reminder of the rhythms of farm life,” said David Hughes, the executive director of Queens County Farm Museum. “From live shearing demonstrations to spinning, natural dyeing, and weaving, this event connects visitors to the agricultural traditions that have shaped our past and continue to inspire our future.”
Professional shearer Donald Kading will take the helm at the event, demonstrating the art of sheep shearing for visitors to experience, followed by the opportunity to enjoy live demonstrations like dyeing, spinning, weaving, and knitting. Guests can take their experience even further by purchasing an activity passport for $20 to enjoy five hands-on activities such as clay pinch pots, yarn gnomes, colonial pearl earrings, and sheep puppets made with real wool.
Additionally, the festive event will feature Animal Adventures tours with farmers, live music, tours of Adriance Farmhouse, one of the many historic structures on site, and incredible food from a variety of local food vendors.
The special yearly event isn’t just about letting the farm’s sheep get their wool cut; it commemorates a 10,000-year-old custom of sheep domestication and care. Shearing is an essential part of sheep care to prevent overheating, mobility issues, and skin conditions, and helps the farm animals stay cool during the summer months. After shearing, the fleece is sent to Battenkill Fibers Mill located in Greenwich, New York, in the Hudson Valley. The mill specializes in custom yarn and roving processing for farmers, dyers, and wholesale accounts.
The Queens County Farm and Museum provides a perfect spring and summer daytime getaway, with its array of events and activities throughout the week. The historic property has been a part of the Floral Park community for 328 years and is dedicated to educating, enriching, and connecting adults and children in the community. To visit or learn more information, visit their website.
General admission to the farm is free for the Sheep Shearing Festival, but guests can purchase a ticket through the farm’s website for $20 to participate in the passport activities.
